The New England Centenarian Study

Convenience sample of centenarians, their siblings, offspring, spouses and a control sample consisting of people born around same time as offspring but who do not have parents surviving beyond average life expectancy for their birth cohort. Age range 40-119 years, with ~2500 centenarians in the sample including 600 semi-supercentenarians (ages 105-109) and 200 supercentenarians (ages 110+ years).

We collect the below listed data at enrolment and then collect vital status, hospitalization, changes in meds and diagnoses, cognitive function (TICS) and physical function (IADS, ADL) over the phone, annually. Local subjects are asked to undergo annual detailed cognitive function testing in person with ultimately, brain donation. Blood sample collected at enrolment for DNA, RNA and plasma for biomarkers and storage.

Study is open to collaborations. Please contact Dr. Perls

Types General population-based cohort
Participant Types No diagnosis
Countries USA
Genders Male and Female
Sample sizes
Ages 40 to 59|60 to 100
Brain related measures
Funtional rating
Anthropometric Blood pressure|Height|Weight
Physical
Biological samples Blood|Other
Genotyping Gene screening
Brain imaging
Brain banking Consent for brain donation
Lifestyle Alcohol|Dietary habits|Physical activity|Smoking
Socio-economic Education|Ethnic group|Family circumstances|Housing and accommodation|Income and finances|Informal support|Martial status|Occupation and employment|Unpaid care
Health service utilisation Formal health and social care service utilisation including private care
Institute names
Current Sample Sizes

age at recruitment 40-119
last updated
recruitment period 1995-present
estimated current sample size number value 4,000
cohort acronym NECS
start date 1995-present
pi Dr Thomas Perls
website http://www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian/
contact details New England Centenarian Study
Section of Geriatrics, Robinson 2400
Boston Medical Center
88 E. Newton Street, Robinson 2400
Boston, MA 02118
abstract  Convenience sample of centenarians, their siblings, offspring, spouses and a control sample consisting of people born around same time as offspring but who do not have parents surviving beyond average life expectancy for their birth cohort. Age range 40-119 years, with ~2500 centenarians in the sample including 600 semi-supercentenarians (ages 105-109) and 200 supercentenarians (ages 110+ years).
funders  National Institute on Aging
The William M. Wood Foundation
The Martin and Paulette Samowitz Family Foundation
contact email [email protected] ; PI Email: [email protected]
contact phone number ‘+1 617-638-6688 Tel US Toll-Free: 888-333-6327
estimated current sample size 0 to 4,999
sample sizes