Abstract
BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated familial aggregation of memory performance within the Long Life Family Study (LLFS), suggesting that exceptional cognition (EC) may contribute to their exceptional longevity. Here, we investigated whether LLFS families with EC may also exhibit more favorable profiles of other age-related biomarkers. METHODS: Nondemented offspring of the LLFS probands scoring 1.5 SD above the mean in a cognitive phenotype were classified as participants with EC. Families were categorized into EC (n = 28) and non-EC families (n = 433) based on having at least two EC offspring. Adjusted general estimating equations were used to investigate whether EC families had a better longevity and age-related biomarker profiles than non-EC families. RESULTS: EC families exhibited higher scores on familial longevity than non-EC families (average Family Longevity Selection Score of 12 ± 7 vs 9 ± 8, p = 2.5 × 10-14). EC families showed a better a metabolic profile (β = -0.63, SE = 0.23, p = .006) than non-EC families. The healthier metabolic profile is related to obesity in an age-dependent fashion. The prevalence of obesity in EC families is significantly lower compared with non-EC families (38% vs 51%, p = .015) among family members less than 80 years of age; however, among EC family members 80 years of age and older, the prevalence of obesity is higher (40% vs 38%, p = .011). EC families also showed better physical/pulmonary function than non-EC families (β = 0.51, SE = 0.25, p = .042). CONCLUSIONS: Long-live families with EC are characterized by a healthier metabolic profile which is related to the prevalence of obesity in the older family members. Our results suggest that familial exceptional longevity may be achieved through heterogeneous yet correlated pathways.