One Herkimer County family is taking part in an international study of longevity, conducted by researchers from Columbia University, University of Pittsburgh, Boston University and the University of South Denmark. The study, which began more than three years ago, seeks to determine the genetic explanations for why some families live longer than others. Using sources like Medicare and Medicaid records to identify potential candidates, researchers sent out informational packets to qualifying families across the nation and around the world, seeking participants for the study. Qualifications included families that have multiple siblings who have reached the senior citizen plateau.
The five Dutcher siblings: Richard, 91, Catherine (Wells), 90, Frederick, 86, Eleanor (Pedersen), 84, and Carroll, 78, agreed to take part in the research project, as did Pedersen’s daughter, Roberta Mahlmeister, 55, from Albany. Medical researchers from Columbia University met with the Dutcher family on Thursday at the Country Manor of Herkimer County, where the eldest, Richard, has been a resident for more than twenty years. Conducting extensive interviews with the family to track medical histories, taking blood for DNA sampling, and measuring vital signs were all part of the examination undergone by each of the Dutcher siblings. “There is a lot of research being done on the causes of disease and death, but very little positive research on what makes people live longer,” said Theresa Grescheck, Director of the Country Manor, “We are thrilled that [the Dutcher family] is taking part in the study.”
The Long Life Family Study will be wrapping up their data collection phase during the month of May, according to Jeff Zhu, one of the researchers from the program. They will spend a greater part of the next two years analyzing the data and tabulating the results. “We have been all over the country, talking to people and collecting information,” said Zhu, “It has been a very interesting experience.” With so much data waiting to be analyzed, the researchers are unwilling to discuss the details of the study, who’s results are expected to be published in 2011.
Middleville, N.Y. —
