BIOANCIENT: Cohort of Centenarians in Navarra (1926-1927)

BIOANCIENT: Cohort of Centenarians in Navarra (1926-1927)

Demographic aging is a growing global challenge, driven by increasing life expectancy and declining birth rates, with projections indicating that more than 30% of the European population will be over 65 years old by 2100. Centenarians represent a unique biological model of extreme longevity, often exhibiting delayed onset of age-related diseases and preserved functional capacity.

This study aims to establish an intergenerational cohort of centenarians in Navarra (Spain) to investigate the biological, clinical, environmental, and lifestyle factors associated with extreme longevity. By integrating multidimensional data-including clinical assessments, functional and cognitive measures, and biological markers-this study seeks to improve understanding of aging mechanisms and identify potential determinants of healthy aging.

Demographic aging is a phenomenon with increasing structural impact, driven by rising life expectancy and declining birth rates. According to projections by Eurostat and the WHO, by 2050 more than 30% of the European population will be over 65 years old, posing significant challenges for the sustainability of healthcare and social systems, and requiring the development of specific strategies that integrate knowledge from geroscience, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence applied to health.

Navarre has privileged conditions for research into healthy aging, given its high rate of centenarians (44.09 per 100,000 inhabitants) and its high-level healthcare and scientific infrastructure. These strengths make the region an ideal environment for designing and implementing innovative strategies aimed at improving the health and quality of life of older adults, contributing to the sustainability of the healthcare system.

Centenarians constitute a particularly valuable biological model, as they reach advanced ages with relatively preserved functionality, suggesting the presence of protective mechanisms that remain incompletely understood. Contemporary geroscience adopts a holistic approach, emphasizing the interaction between genetic factors (such as longevity-associated alleles), epigenetic mechanisms (including DNA methylation), and environmental influences (including diet, physical activity, and living conditions) in shaping aging trajectories.

Multifactorial approaches have been increasingly applied to the study of centenarian cohorts, integrating clinical data with biomarkers of aging. Studies such as the Okinawa Centenarian Study have demonstrated associations between longevity and lifestyle factors including diet, physical activity, and social support, whereas the New England Centenarian Study has highlighted the contribution of genetic factors to extreme longevity and delayed onset of cardiovascular disease. European cohorts have similarly identified favorable metabolic profiles and delayed development of chronic conditions, often with a relevant hereditary component.

The present study aims to integrate multiple domains of knowledge in order to deepen the understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying longevity, reduce diagnostic barriers, optimize therapeutic strategies and healthcare resource utilization, and ultimately improve the quality of life of older adults.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals aged ≥100 years
• Residents of Navarre, Spain

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical decompensation within the last month, including hemodynamic instability, acute illness, or hospitalization;
• End-of-life condition, defined as a clinical state of irreversible deterioration with a life expectancy of days to weeks, as determined by a physician.