One interesting area for future research into the genetics of longevity will involve the study of the genes associated with blood lipids (cholesterol and its components) in the oldest old. Some of the oldest old have been found to have higher than average levels of HDL (the so-called "good" cholesterol that helps protect against heart disease). Researchers are now looking at their children, who are typically in their 70s, to see if their HDL levels are even higher than average and if they inherit similar versions of apoE and other genes thought to be related to lipid levels.

Population studies are underway that will look at relatively genetically isolated groups of people, to determine what factors contribute to their longevity. Scientists are looking for the genes that confer protection against the common causes of death at younger ages as well as the genes that confer increased survival.

One population that has remained isolated, at least genetically, is Ashkenazi Jews. Dr. Nir Barzilai of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York is conducting studies of this group. Ashkenazi Jews are known to carry the genes for Tay-Sachs disease, a deadly disease of children, and the BRCA genes, associated with an extremely high risk of breast and ovarian cancer. But some members of this ethnic group are very long-lived. Dr Barzilai has identified a population of Ashkenazi Jews over the age of 95, and is comparing them to their children (in their 70s, for the most part), who have presumably inherited at least some of the longevity genes from their almost centenarian parents, and to those children's spouses, who will serve as controls. He has enrolled nearly 100 families thus far, and is performing extensive blood studies and in-depth surveys, to try to ascertain what genetic and lifestyle factors play a role in longevity.³³

Dr. Alan Shuldiner at the University of Maryland is studying the Old Order Amish of Lancaster, PA. The Amish are an isolated population, with few marrying outside their circle, and consequently, genes that govern longevity or conversely, genes that govern premature deaths, should be amplified due to relative inbreeding. While they have not uncovered any longevity genes as yet, they have linked a particular set of genes within the Amish population that is associated with high blood pressure.³⁴