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Research on ageing and longevity in Estonia

Part of: Bespoke shallow archive Weizmann

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2010

Riin Tamm ,
Kai Saks  and
Mati Pääsuke
Riin Tamm*
Affiliation:
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Estonia
Kai Saks
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia
Mati Pääsuke
Affiliation:
Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Estonia
*
Address for correspondence: Riin Tamm, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, 23 Riia Street, 51010, Tartu, Estonia. Email: [email protected]
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Summary

Due to demographic changes, the population ageing process in Estonia accelerated rapidly at the end of the 20th century. In Estonia, research in gerontology and geriatrics has no long-standing tradition. In the beginning, social aspects like the pension system, coping strategies and well-being of aged people, were the research focus. More recently, epidemiological studies of diseases seen in the older population have been extensively conducted. In clinical medicine, the main research topics have been osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia and stroke.

In this review, changes in neuromuscular function and hormonal regulation during ageing, and the genetic aspects of the Estonian Longevity Study will be described. The aim of the current paper is to introduce the main fields of gerontological research in Estonia to allow better integration with other research groups.

Keywords

EstoniaEstonian longevity studygenetics of longevityneuromuscular ageing
Type
International research and practice
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , May 2010 , pp. 154 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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