NEW YORK, Dec. 26 A New York study says a gene variation linked to longevity may also safeguard brainpower and memory.The study, conducted by the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said the longevity gene increases the size of fatty cholesterol in the blood, stopping fatty build up in blood vessels that is tied to brain impairment, memory loss, heart attacks and strokes, the BBC reported Tuesday.The study is based on data collected from nearly 300 Ashkenazi Jews over the age of 70.Memory and concentration test results were markedly superior for test subjects with the gene variation.Nir Barzilia, lead researcher and director of the institute, said the gene variation may also guard against Alzheimer's.Copyright 2006 by UPI
