Cytogenetic studies in leucocytes on the general population: subjects of ages 65 years and more

Summary The results are reported of chromosome studies on leucocyte cultures from a randomly chosen group of 189 subjects (87 males and 102 females) of ages 65 or more. Particular attention is paid to the distribution of chromosome counts, the frequency of cells with chromosomes showing a structural abnormality, and the frequency of sub ects showing a consistent abnormality or variation in their karyotype. The writers are particularly indebted to Dr J. Williamson and Dr Mary Fisher of the Edinburgh Geriatric Hospital Service, to Dr R. Scott and his staff of the Edinburgh University General Practice Teaching Unit, and to the following general practitioners who willingly permitted access to their patients: Dr W. G. Batters, Dr T. E. Dickson, Dr A. Irons, Dr J. S. Milne, Dr A. I. Richardson and Dr I. S. Stokoe. They wish also to acknowledge the help of their colleagues, Mrs Jane Bond, Miss Karin Buckton, Dr D. J. Mantle and Miss Ishbel Tough. They are also grateful for the skilled technical assistance of Miss Margaret Bradley, Miss Sheila Brunton, Miss Eileen Inglis and Miss Gillian Woodcock. Finally, the writers wish to acknowledge the help of Dr Alwyn Smith, Mr H. Goldstein and Dr R. Doll.