# ORIGINS OF VARIANCE IN THE OLD-OLD--OCTOGENARIAN TWINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 1992 · $296,818

## Abstract

Individual differences both in rate and pattern of aging are generally
acknowledged to be great.  Understanding the origins of this variability is
of fundamental importance for basic scientific understanding of aging
processes.  This basic knowledge may also lay the groundwork for eventual
application in the prediction of differential decline in functional
capacity and utilization of health and care services, and in informing the
search for rational therapeutic and preventive interventions.

Recent research has just begun to explore the genetic and environmental
bases of individual differences in aging by the study of monozygotic
(identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins.  However, these studies are
principally concerned with the "young-old."  Practically nothing is yet
known in this regard concerning the "old-old," those individuals 80 years
of age and older, who comprise the most rapidly growing segment of the
population, with the highest incidence of decline in health and competence,
and with the greatest need for medical care.

This proposal is for support of a study of octogenarian and nonagenarian
Swedish twins on measures of physical health and functioning, cognitive
functioning, interpersonal relationships, life satisfaction, personality,
and mental health.  Analyses will estimate the relative contributions of
environmental and genetic factors to the variability in these measures.
All cooperating Swedish twins of the appropriate ages, estimated to number
about 375 pairs, will be studied.  Interpretation of the study will be
enriched by the availability of data from the twin study of the "young-old"
and from singleton studies of Swedish single-born octogenarians.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120649
- **Project number:** 5R01AG008861-03
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NPM2J7MSCF61
- **Principal Investigator:** GERALD E MCCLEARN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $296,818
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1990-09-01 → 1993-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120649, ORIGINS OF VARIANCE IN THE OLD-OLD--OCTOGENARIAN TWINS (5R01AG008861-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120649. Licensed CC0.

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