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'Nature' and 'nurture' variables early predictors of AMD
June 26, 2009Rockville, MD - Like many diseases, causes for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be categorized as either "nature" or "nurture". Researchers think these factors, when used in the proper model, can be strong predictors of the disease.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.
A study published in the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology's peer-reviewed Investigative Ophthalmolgy & Visual Science ("Prediction Model for Prevalence and Incidence of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration Based on Genetic, Demographic and Environmental Variables") shows that multiple genetic, ocular and environmental factors, including six genetic variants, age, smoking and body mass index heavily contribute to the incidence of AMD. Because all of these factors are related to AMD, they were combined and used to develop a predictive and possibly diagnostic model.
"The determinants of the model can be assessed by completing a questionnaire and taking a blood test, and it is a tool which could be used to help guide prevention and treatments" said lead author and principal investigator, Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine and Director of the Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service at Tufts Medical Center. "Such information may be also be useful for screening those at high risk of AMD due to a positive family history or having signs of early or intermediate disease even among those with normal vision," the study says.
Over 1,400 individuals in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) with an average follow-up time of 6.3 years were evaluated, and genetic specimens were genotyped in the collaborator's lab in Boston. Both prevalence and development of advanced dry and wet AMD over the course of the study were included in the analyses. Researchers found all tested variables to be independently associated with AMD. The predictive power of the variables in the formula was very high, and the probability that the risk score based on the group of factors in that model for a progressor was higher than the corresponding risk score for a random non-progressor within the same 10 year age group was 83%.
Their research also shows that although AMD has a strong genetic component, healthy behaviors can modify your genetic susceptibility. For example, among individuals with one genotype, the homozygous C3 risk genotype, the likelihood of progression to the advanced form of AMD increased from about three-fold for nonsmokers to nearly 10-fold for smokers.
"Our algorithm could help with the selection of study participants for treatment trials and could one day enable doctors to choose the most efficacious treatment for individual patients," Dr. Seddon said. "It also gives any older person concerned about AMD, or any patient with early stages or a family history of AMD, even more incentive to avoid risk factors such as smoking and excessive weight."
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
"The determinants of the model can be assessed by completing a questionnaire and taking a blood test, and it is a tool which could be used to help guide prevention and treatments" said lead author and principal investigator, Johanna M. Seddon, MD, ScM, Professor of Ophthalmology at Tufts University School of Medicine and Director of the Ophthalmic Epidemiology and Genetics Service at Tufts Medical Center. "Such information may be also be useful for screening those at high risk of AMD due to a positive family history or having signs of early or intermediate disease even among those with normal vision," the study says.
Over 1,400 individuals in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) with an average follow-up time of 6.3 years were evaluated, and genetic specimens were genotyped in the collaborator's lab in Boston. Both prevalence and development of advanced dry and wet AMD over the course of the study were included in the analyses. Researchers found all tested variables to be independently associated with AMD. The predictive power of the variables in the formula was very high, and the probability that the risk score based on the group of factors in that model for a progressor was higher than the corresponding risk score for a random non-progressor within the same 10 year age group was 83%.
Their research also shows that although AMD has a strong genetic component, healthy behaviors can modify your genetic susceptibility. For example, among individuals with one genotype, the homozygous C3 risk genotype, the likelihood of progression to the advanced form of AMD increased from about three-fold for nonsmokers to nearly 10-fold for smokers.
"Our algorithm could help with the selection of study participants for treatment trials and could one day enable doctors to choose the most efficacious treatment for individual patients," Dr. Seddon said. "It also gives any older person concerned about AMD, or any patient with early stages or a family history of AMD, even more incentive to avoid risk factors such as smoking and excessive weight."
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Age-related Macular Degeneration Current Events and Age-related Macular Degeneration News RSSBreeding better broccoli
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Cataract surgery helps AMD patients; steroid improves DME; online eye health forum
This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) reports on a national study that finds cataract surgery is likely to benefit patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at all stages of the disease, on a clinical trial showing that the steroid triamcinolone may be effective in advanced diabetic macular edema (DME) patients when standard treatment fails, and on the public's use of two Academy-sponsored online eye health forums.
1 shot of gene therapy and children with congenital blindness can now see
Born with a retinal disease that made him legally blind, and would eventually leave him totally sightless, the nine-year-old boy used to sit in the back of the classroom, relying on the large print on an electronic screen and assisted by teacher aides.
Experimental treatments restore partial vision to blind people
Two experimental treatments, a retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant, restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. The findings, presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health, may lead to new treatments for the blind.
Researchers discover mechanism that helps humans see in bright and low light
Ever wonder how your eyes adjust during a blackout? When we go from light to near total darkness, cells in the retina must quickly adjust. Vision scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified an intricate process that allows the human eye to adapt to darkness very quickly. The same process also allows the eye to function in bright light.
Cancer drug is no different in effectiveness as gold standard treatment for macular degeneration
Investigators from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and the VA Boston Healthcare System have shown, at 6 months in a small group of patients, that there is no difference in efficacy between Bevacizumab (Avastin) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
MIT retinal implant could help restore some vision
MIT engineers have designed a retinal implant for people who have lost their vision from retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of blindness.
New Discovery Brings Hope to Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases
Researchers in the laboratory of Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati at the University of Kentucky have discovered the first naturally occurring molecule that selectively blocks lymphatic vessel growth.
Pharmacy pamphlets apparently more about looks than legibility: study
It seems like common sense that an information leaflet for vision loss would have large print and appropriate contrast, but that's not the case a new study done at the University of Alberta has found.
Anti-growth factor drugs raise hope and concern for treatment of children's eye diseases
A new class of antibody drugs may provide a powerful new tool for the treatment of eye diseases in children, but specialists need to be alert for the possibility of serious side effects, according to an editorial in the August Journal of AAPOS (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus), published by Elsevier.
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The First Year: Age-Related Macular Degeneration: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Daniel L. Roberts (Author) Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease of the retina wherein the light-sensing cells in the central area of vision (the macula) stop working and eventually die. AMD is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over 50. From the moment of his own diagnosis, educator and musician Dan Roberts has made it his mission to provide the most up-to-date information about AMD, its effects and challenges, through his website. Receiving over 60,000 unique visitors monthly, Roberts's site is the go-to for all things AMD. Now, as a "patient-expert," Roberts applies his wealth of knowledge to the First Year series, providing crucial information for the newly diagnosed, including cutting edge therapies, and tips on how to navigate everyday tasks with diminishing eyesight. The... |
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The Aging Eye: New Therapies for Age Related Macular Degeneration In the past two years, there have been rapid and dramatic improvements in the treatment of macular degeneration which is the leading cause of blindness in the United States in persons over age 65. In this lecture, Mark Blumenkranz, MD covers new advances in this disease that have changed our understanding and approach to it. Mark S. Blumenkranz, MD, is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Stanford University. He is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in the area of vitreoretinal surgery, with special interests in surgical adjuvant pharmacology and new microsurgical and laser techniques. Dr. Blumenkranz was instrumental in developing the successful laser vision correction program at Stanford and serves as a principal... |
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HIGH VISION EYETEIN to Prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Nature's Dawn Nutritional Supplements As adults mature, their vision may become weaker and supject to exposure to ultra violet light and subsequent damage to the Retina. High Vision Eyetein is a formula containing the highest concentration of Lutein and Zeaxinthan and nine other ingredients which have shown to support positive eye health and protection. | |
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Premier Antioxidant Formula to Enhance Eye Health by LabTraxx,LLC/Nature's Dawn AMD/OPTICAPS was formulated by our team of scientists and researchers utilizing data from around the world to provide the latest in vision nutrition supplements. The daily dosage of 50 milligrams of Lutein and Zeaxanthin in combination with many other proven ingredients assures that your vision health is our prime objective. | |
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Macular Disease: Practical Strategies for Living with Vision Loss by Peggy R. Wolfe (Author) This invaluable guide to living well with vision loss is the perfect blend of abundant factual material and real-life experience. The book's positive, take-charge approach offers reassurance, hope, and hundreds of proven techniques, strategies, and tips for both the newly diagnosed and those at later stages of their disease. "My Story" vignettes in each chapter describe the author's fears, foibles, and triumphs in challenging situations. Readers will identify with the author's experiences and be encouraged by knowing she successfully traveled the same path. This oversize handbook has large, dark type and is printed on glare-resistant paper for ease in reading by people with low vision. |
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