Who live 100 years?

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience shows that a version of the gene that encodes the receptor for dopamine was 66% more common among people who reach the age of 90 years and older than among younger persons similar in other respects view. This variant of the gene leads to a weaker response to the neurotransmitter, dopamine temperate system activity, which is responsible for generating feelings of pleasure, desire and reward and also to coordinate movement.

The study included more than 1,000 people aged between 90 and 109 years living in Leisure World, a community dedicated to pensioners who are in Laguna Woods, California. Participants in the study were part of a group of 14,000 highly educated, mostly of European origin, which was first studied in 1981.

Besides the fact that this gene variant was more present among older participants, researchers discovered

that these people were more physically active than those who did not have this version of the gene. Scientists speculate that this dopamine system less efficient in producing pleasure encourages more people to seek stimulation, thus making them more active. Since the 1981 study researchers found that these participants were twice as likely to do sport, remaining more active than those without this gene variant in 2003, when scientists and data collected. This could be the secret to their longevity, researchers believe.

When dopamine is not managed properly, this neurotransmitter may contribute to the pursuit of pleasure - which can result in addiction - or lead to a state of hyperactivity, and ADHD. These problems are usually associated with a higher risk of dying prematurely, not longevity, but this study suggests that genes that lead to the risk of suffering from these problems under certain conditions may be beneficial in other situations. Thus, it is useful to think of genes as "bad" or "good", but we perceive in a dynamic way.

This version of the dopamine gene is a good example. This gene has been associated with ADHD disorder, leading to a 50% increase in the risk of accidents and also increases the risk of other risky behaviors that can lead to injury and death. Also, several studies show that there is a correlation between this version and promiscuity and infidelity, which increases the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.

If people with this genetic variant overcame risky teenage years and the first stage of maturity, the benefits of physical activity is undertaken throughout life-prolonging life is reflected in several years. People with ADHD, for example, "no state" is always on the move - this constant activity may have a positive effect on their health, allowing them to avoid chronic diseases associated with sedentary lifestyle. Even risky behavior requires physical effort so that those who survive the risky activities of youth may live longer than people who have not taken such risks in youth.

This theory seems to be supported by the new study because analysis revealed that this variant of the gene led to an increase in longevity, especially among women. "This sex difference may reflect the gene associated risk behaviors in youth such as ADHD and drug addiction, manifested especially among men," the study authors write.

Research authors have studied this gene variant and rats and found that the animals that have been genetically modified to not have this variant lived, on average, 7% -10% less than ordinary rats. This might be due to inactivity, for genetically modified rats were not as active as ordinary rats. Also, if rats normally live longer if they have a partner and an environment that offers the opportunity to learn and explore, among rats who has eliminated this gene, these factors lead to increased life expectancy.

This suggests that this variant of the gene depends on interaction with the environment there. Other studies have shown that boys abused in childhood who had the gene variant were more likely to engage in risky behavior while boys presenting this genetic variant without being abused in childhood had a lower risk of this disordered behavior than boys without this gene.

Similar effects were also observed for genes associated with depression, which seem to confer an advantage on certain conditions, and the genes associated with autism appear to be related to mathematical and engineering talent. These findings suggest that we can choose only the features most visible benefits: most traits and their underlying genes seem to exist in different variants that confer both benefits and risks.

                                                                   photo credit: google.com
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