Multiomics Profiling of Costa Rican Centenarians

Research Summary

Aging is the major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other age-related disorders. Costa Rica is known to have a high percentage of people who live into their 90s and beyond without developing these diseases. In this project, researchers will study 500 long-lived Costa Ricans, including many over 100 years old, through extensive testing of their memory and other cognitive functions. Blood samples will be collected for whole-genome sequencing, which will be used to search for genetic changes that contribute to their brain resiliency. The goal is to analyze the levels of 7000 different proteins in their blood to identify patterns linked with longevity and disease resistance. By finding genetic changes and protein patterns that protect against age-related disorders, this team hopes to identify novel targets for drugs that can mimic these natural protections. Data from this project will be shared widely both within Stanford and with outside investigators to accelerate drug discovery.