NCHA started in September 2008. Our research already led to multiple results. In most cases, these results were established in close collaboration with other (international) consortia.
Results
Heritability of longevity and lower risk of mobidity and mortality
The lower mortality rate of nonagenarian siblings and lower prevalence of morbidity in their middle-aged offspring reinforce the notion that resilience against disease and death have similar underlying biology that is determined by genetic or familial factors. read more
Biomarkers for familiar longevity
Low thyroid hormone levels and high insulin sensitivity seem to be biomarkers for ‘familiar longevity’ (Leiden Longevity Study).
read more about insulin sensitivity of people from long living siblings.
read moreabout low thyroid levels of offspring of long living siblings.
Risk factors for cardiac function
read more
about insulin sensitivity of people from long living siblings. read more
about low thyroid levels of offspring of long living siblings.Risk factors for cardiac function
Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Identifying genes associated with blood pressure advances our understanding of blood pressure regulation and highlights potential drug targets for the prevention or treatment of hypertension. read more
Variations in PR interval in electrocardiograms of human subjects reflect differences in electrical conductivity in the atria of the heart. A prolonged PR interval predisposes to atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia. A study of the CHARGE consortium, in which our consortium participates, shows nine regions in the genome which influence this variation in electrical conductivity.
read more
Brain infarcts
The CHARGE consortium, in which the Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing participates, recently published a paper in Stroke (31 December 2009 online) about the genetic variation underlying silent brain infarcts, visible on MRI scans. Some potential interesting hits were found. Innovative is the combination of two state of the art technologies: genome wide genotyping and neuro-imaging using MRI. read more
Kidney disease in elderly
Variations in PR interval in electrocardiograms of human subjects reflect differences in electrical conductivity in the atria of the heart. A prolonged PR interval predisposes to atrial fibrillation, the most common form of arrhythmia. A study of the CHARGE consortium, in which our consortium participates, shows nine regions in the genome which influence this variation in electrical conductivity.
read more
Brain infarcts
The CHARGE consortium, in which the Netherlands Consortium for Healthy Ageing participates, recently published a paper in Stroke (31 December 2009 online) about the genetic variation underlying silent brain infarcts, visible on MRI scans. Some potential interesting hits were found. Innovative is the combination of two state of the art technologies: genome wide genotyping and neuro-imaging using MRI. read more
Kidney disease in elderly
One out of ten elderly suffers from CKD, chronic kidney disease, which has a heritable component. The Umod-gene appears to play an important role in the question whether people develop CKD or not: people with rare mutations of the Umod-gene develop Mendelian forms of CKD. People with another specific mutation have 25% less change of developing CKD. The product of the Umod gene, Tamm-horsfall protein, present in urine, is an important biomarker for kidney disease if present in a too high concentration. read more
Female reproductive cycle
Timing in onset and termination of female reproductive cycle related to health.
An article on gene-variants influencing the age at menopause (end of menstrual cycles). These genetic variants regulate the timing of ovarian ageing, an important risk factor for breast cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. read more
Meta-analysis of genome-wide association data identifies two loci influencing age at menarche.
An article on genes which influence the age at menarche (development of the menstrual cycle in girls). This is associated with the phenotypes Body Mass Index, obesity and body height. read more
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