Abstract We use a multi-stage genome-wide association of 1 million parental lifespans of genotyped subjects and data on mortality risk factors to validate previously unreplicated findings near CDKN2B-AS1 , ATXN2/BRAP , FURIN/FES , ZW10 , PSORS1C3 , and 13q21.31, and identify and replicate novel findings near GADD45G , KCNK3 , LDLR , POM121C , ZC3HC1 , and ABO . We also validate previous findings near 5q33.3/EBF1 and FOXO3, whilst finding contradictory evidence at other loci. Gene set and tissue-specific analyses show that expression in foetal brain cells and adult dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is enriched for lifespan variation, as are gene pathways involving lipid proteins and homeostasis, vesicle-mediated transport, and synaptic function. Individual genetic variants that increase dementia, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer –but not other cancers-explain the most variance, possibly reflecting modern susceptibilities, whilst cancer may act through many rare variants, or the environment. Resultant polygenic scores predict a mean lifespan difference of around five years of life across the deciles.

Genomic underpinnings of lifespan allow prediction and reveal basis in modern risks