US EditionBrazilian Supercentenarians Reveal Genetic and Immune Factors Preserving Health Past 110
Brazil's supercentenarians show unique immune adaptations and over 2,000 distinct genetic elements that may explain their exceptional health and longevity, researchers report.
- On January 6, 2026, Dr. Mayana Zatz and colleagues published a Viewpoint in Genomic Psychiatry arguing Brazil is an overlooked setting for extreme-longevity study.
- Genomic studies found that Brazil's admixed population harbors over 8 million undescribed variants and an ongoing cohort includes more than 160 centenarians and 20 validated supercentenarians.
- Laboratory analyses show three Brazilian supercentenarians who survived COVID-19 in 2020 had strong IgG and neutralizing antibody responses, expanded cytotoxic CD4+ T cells, and protein recycling like M116, a 112-year-old.
- The authors argue Dr. Mayana Zatz and colleagues urge international longevity and genomics consortia to recruit diverse populations like Brazil and support studies advancing healthspan and precision medicine.
- Familial patterns show many claims lack documentation, and LongeviQuest and the Gerontology Research Group validate cases like Sister Inah, a Brazilian nun who passed away in April 2025 at age 116.
11 Articles
11 Articles
'Extreme longevity!' Brazilian supercentenarians offer new clues to living past 110, scientists say
Brazil might be sitting on one of the world's most valuable secrets to living past 110 – and scientists have only just started paying attention.A new study published on January 6 in Genomic Psychiatry by Dr Mayana Zatz and her team at the University of São Paulo makes a compelling case for why the country deserves more attention from longevity researchers.The team has assembled a group of more than 160 centenarians, including 20 verified superce…
The possibility of living well until the age of 120 ceased to be a symbolic expression and became a scientific objective.Genetician Mayana Zatz, general coordinator of the USP Genome, leads one of the most ambitious research on extreme longevity in the world. Her work focuses on Brazilians with more than a century of life and the genetic factors that explain this exceptional condition. Born in Israel and raised in Brazil since the age of 8, Zatz…
People in Brazil are living past 110 and scientists want to know why
Scientists are uncovering why Brazil may be one of the most important yet underused resources for studying extreme longevity. Its highly diverse population harbors millions of genetic variants missing from standard datasets, including rare changes linked to immune strength and cellular maintenance. Brazilian supercentenarians often remain mentally sharp, survive serious infections, and come from families where multiple members live past 100. Tog…
A study by the University of São Paulo shows how genetic diversity prolongs life.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 78% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
