Gerontology Research Group

The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is a global group of researchers in various fields that verifies and tracks supercentenarians, or people who are at least 110 years old in a list of the verified oldest people.[1] The group also aims to further gerontology research with a goal of reversing or slowing aging.[1][2]

Gerontology Research Group
Formation1990 (1990)
Los Angeles, California, United States
FoundersL. Stephen Coles
Stephen M. Kaye
PurposeGerontology research
Websitegrg.org

History

It was founded in 1990 by L. Stephen Coles and Stephen M. Kaye after the two met at a conference, according to Coles.[3] The original chapter of the GRG, the LA-GRG, holds meetings each month but the organization has members worldwide who meet via online forums.[4][5]

The GRG verifies that people claiming to be supercentenarians are at least 110 years old by validating proof-of-age documents provided by the claimant or their family.[1] People claiming to be supercentenarians, or their family members, are required to supply documents that prove the claimant's birth date, change of name (if applicable), and date of death (if applicable), along with another piece of official government identification.[4] Researchers from the GRG verify that these documents are true and correct and if they are, the claimant is included in the GRG's official tables of supercentenarians.[1]

The GRG also conducts research on aging by interviewing willing supercentenarians and collecting their blood and DNA samples.[1][6]

The GRG is recognized as an authority on supercentenarians by Guinness World Records[7] As of September 12, 2016, the GRG recognizes approximately 45 living supercentenarians.[8]

See also

References
  1. Nuwer, Rachel (4 July 2014). "Keeping Track of the Oldest People in the World". Smithsonion.com. 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. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Inouye, Emily (10 June 2004). "Research group tracks oldest-living people". Daily Bruin. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  6. Chawkins, Steve (5 December 2014). "L. Stephen Coles dies at 73; studied extreme aging in humans". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  7. Malcolm, Andrew H. (25 June 2005). "Hitting the Big Eleven-O". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  8. "Gerontology Research Group: Validated Living Supercentenarians". grg.org. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
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