Amandine Cournil, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Published online: September 2006
DOI: 10.1002/9780470015902.a0006124
The longevity of a species refers to its maximum potential length of life. Longevity at the individual level can be regarded as an outcome of the aging process, which is both genetically and environmentally determined. Genetic studies of longevity primarily focus on the genetic variation of life span and on the genetics of exceptionally long life in human populations.
Keywords: longevity; life span; aging; heritability; association studies
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| Further Reading | |
| Christensen K and Vaupel JW (1996) Determinants of longevity: genetic, environmental and medical factors. Journal of Internal Medicine 240: 333–341. | |
| book Falconer DS (1981) Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. London, UK: Longman. | |
| Finch CE and Tanzi RE (1997) Genetics of aging. Science 278: 407–411. | |
| book Gavrilov LA and Gavrilova NS (1991) The Biology of Life Span: A Quantitative Approach. Harwood Academic Publishers. | |
| Heijmans B, Westendorp R and Slagboom P (2000) Common gene variants, mortality and extreme longevity in humans. Experimental Gerontology 35: 865–877. | |
| book Robine JM (ed) (2001) Biodemographic Perspectives on Human Longevity. Population, An English selection, vol. 13(1), Paris: INED. | |
| book Wachter KW and Vaupel JW (eds.) (1997) Between Zeus and the Salmon: The Biodemography of Longevity. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. | |
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