World’s oldest woman had DNA mutation

The Dutch woman who was the oldest person in the world when she died at the age of 115, appears have rare mutations in her DNA, Nos television reported on Saturday.


Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, who died six years ago, left her body to medical science.
A team, led by Henne Holstege of VU University’s medical centre in Amsterdam, is examining her DNA for clues as to what protected her against dementia and other diseases of old age.
Andel-Schipper’s brain showed no signs of dementia when she died. At the age of 113, she scored the same as a 60 to 75-year-old in a memory test. She died of gastric cancer.
The results of the investigation so far were presented at a medical conference in Canada, according to British media reports.
‘Now, six years after her death she has become the oldest person to have her complete genetic code sequenced as scientists hope to unlock the secrets to her good health and longevity,’ the Daily Mail reported.
The paper says Van Andel-Schipper was an avid supporter of Ajax football club and attributed her old age to not smoking, plenty of herrings and limited alcohol.

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