Gerontology Research Group

Gerontology Research Group (GRG)
Formation1990; 34 years ago (1990) as LA-GRG (original chapter)
Founder
Founded atLos Angeles, California, United States
TypeNonprofit
PurposeGerontology research
HeadquartersLos Angeles. California, US
Region served
Worldwide
ProductsRecordkeeping and analysis, meetings, website, online forum
ServicesRecording the Verified oldest people list, tracking supercentenarians, research in ageing
FieldsGerontology
OwnerJohn M Adams (known as Johnny) (director)
Key people
L. Stephen Coles, Stephen M. Kay (founders)
Websitegrg.org
Mission: Slow and ultimately reverse age related decline

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) based in Los Angeles, California, US, is a global non-profit scientific organization of researchers in various fields of gerontology, primarily concerned with validating the ages of, recording and researching supercentenarians (people who are at least 110 years old).[1]

The group endeavors to further gerontology research with a goal of slowing and reversing aging. Many of its worldwide correspondents are respected scientists and PhD holders.[1][2][3]

History

The GRG was founded in 1990 by L. Stephen Coles and Stephen M. Kaye.[4] The original chapter of the LA-GRG holds meetings each month, though the organization has members worldwide who meet via online forums and video meetings.[5][6]

The GRG's current director, upon the death of Dr L Stephen Coles, is John M Adams, known as Johnny. Lead in supercentenarian research for the GRG is Robert Douglas Young.

The GRG validates the ages of supercentenarians (people at least 110 years old or older) by finding proof-of-age documents.[1] People that have attained supercentenarian status are required to supply the organization documents that prove the persons birth date, change of name (if applicable), and date of death (if applicable), along with another piece of official government identification.[5] Researchers from the GRG then verify that these documents are true and correct and if they are, the claimant is included in the GRG's official tables of validated supercentenarians.[1]

The GRG also conducts research on aging by interviewing supercentenarians and collecting blood and DNA samples.[1][7]

To 2015, the Gerontology Research Group found proofs of supercentenarian age for more than 2,000 people.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Nuwer, Rachel (4 July 2014). "Keeping Track of the Oldest People in the World". Smithsonian. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  2. ^ White, Gayle (8 February 2006). "Supercentenarians giving researchers clues on longevity". Chicago Tribune. Cox News Service. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. ^ "Longevity gene keeps mind sharp". BBC News. 26 December 2006.
  4. ^ Glaser, Vicki (June 2013). "Interview with L. Stephen Coles, MD, PhD". Rejuvenation Research. 15 (3): 250–253. doi:10.1089/rej.2013.1444. PMID 23651414.
  5. ^ a b Schneck, Andrea (4 March 2010). "Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine performs autopsy on 115-year-old woman to aid research". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. ^ Inouye, Emily (10 June 2004). "Research group tracks oldest-living people". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. ^ Chawkins, Steve (5 December 2014). "L. Stephen Coles dies at 73; studied extreme aging in humans". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Table B - Verified Supercentenarians (Ranked By Age) as of January 1, 2015". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 12 April 2021.