Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

The genetics of human ageing

David Melzer, Luke C. Pilling, Luigi Ferrucci

Nature Reviews Genetics · 2019

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This Nature Reviews Genetics article provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic basis of human ageing, synthesising evidence from population studies, twin analyses, and molecular biology. The authors discuss key genetic variants associated with longevity and age-related disease, as well as emerging understanding of epigenetic and cellular mechanisms underlying ageing. The review situates genetics within the broader context of intrinsic and environmental drivers of ageing.

UK applicability

The genetic findings are broadly applicable to UK populations, though the authors note that environmental and lifestyle factors substantially modify genetic predisposition. UK public health policy on ageing may benefit from understanding heritable components of age-related disease, though intervention priorities remain focused on modifiable risk factors.

Key measures

Genetic associations with lifespan, age-related disease susceptibility, epigenetic markers, molecular ageing pathways

Outcomes reported

The paper synthesises evidence on genetic variants and molecular mechanisms associated with human ageing and longevity. It reviews how genomic and epigenetic factors influence age-related physiological decline and lifespan.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
International
System type
Human clinical
DOI
10.1038/s41576-019-0183-6
Catalogue ID
SNmohdw92a-xy1rlx

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.