- Mammals with larger brains may have stronger immune systems and live longer lives, according to new genetic research from the University of Bath.
- The study found a link between maximum lifespan potential, brain size, and genes related to immune function across 46 mammal species.
- Understanding these genetic patterns could help explain how evolution shapes longevity and may offer insights into aging and related diseases.
A new study from the University of Bath, published in Scientific Reports, shows that mammals with bigger brains often have longer lifespans and stronger immune systems. Researchers analyzed genetic data from 46 mammal species to uncover these links, focusing on maximum lifespan potential, which refers to the age reached by the longest-living individual in a species.
The study identified 236 gene families tied to maximum lifespan, with many of these genes found in immune system processes and related to genes previously linked to aging and longevity, according to the research team. Species like humans, elephants, and primates showed especially strong links between larger brains and expanded immune gene families. Researchers noted that maximum lifespan potential is different from average lifespan, which can be influenced by environmental risks.
As stated in the study, “We uncovered evidence of a shared molecular machinery associated with the evolution of maximum lifespan potential and relative brain size, with 161 gene families significantly related to both phenotypes when included in the same models.” The researchers found no such links with traits like gestation time, sexual maturity, or body mass, indicating the importance of brain size and immune function in lifespan evolution.
The World Health Organization reports that average human life expectancy was 71.3 years in 2021, but lifespan potential varies widely among species. The current oldest living human is Ethel Caterham at 115, while Jeanne Calment lived to 122. Among dogs, whose average life expectancy is 10 to 13 years, Spike, a Chihuahua mix, reached 25 years, and a dog named Bluey lived to 29.
The team found that the genes associated with long lifespans are not only more active in humans but can also produce proteins in more diverse ways. Many are already known to play a role in how long humans live, pointing to shared biological factors in lifespan differences across species.
Researchers concluded that the findings could help explain how evolution shapes maximum lifespan through genetic pathways tied to immune function and brain size. The study also suggests that these genetic mechanisms might be important in treating aging and diseases like cancer by targeting epigenetic changes, which are chemical modifications affecting gene expression over time.
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