Articles tagged with Genetic Disorders
Researchers found that a gene linked to family-inherited Alzheimer's accelerates amyloid peptide production and plaque formation. The study suggests that early changes can be targeted with drugs to slow or prevent the disease.
A MGH-led team has pinpointed the location of the DYT1 gene on chromosome 9, revealing it is responsible for virtually all cases of early-onset dystonia. The discovery may help understand how stress triggers neurological diseases and lead to the development of a blood test to diagnose the disorder.
Virginia Tech Professor Doris Teichler Zallen explains the options, limitations, and problems of genetic testing for disorders like Alzheimer's, breast cancer, and muscular dystrophy. She highlights the need for informed consumers to weigh the benefits and risks of testing against their personal values and circumstances.
Researchers have discovered cellular and biochemical mechanisms that could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent or treat Huntington's disease. The study identifies neuronal intranuclear inclusions as aggregates of huntingtin protein, which interacts with brain cells.
Researchers found that mice with the human gene Bcl-2, which protects against cell death, developed ALS significantly later and lived longer than those without. The study suggests that gene therapy could delay ALS onset and lead to the development of drugs mimicking protective genes.
Researchers have identified the genetic link to Griscelli disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by partial albinism and immunologic abnormalities. The gene responsible for the condition is myosin-5a, which plays a crucial role in organelle transport within cells.
Scientists at the NIH have identified a gene abnormality causing some cases of Parkinson's disease, which affects nerve cells and dopamine production. The discovery provides a new tool for understanding cellular abnormalities in Parkinson's disease and connects it to research on Alzheimer's disease.
A recent study published in Science found that genetic inheritance patterns continue to play a significant role in how people learn and process knowledge in old age. The research, conducted on Swedish twins aged 80+, showed that heritability accounted for 55% of individual differences in cognitive ability.
Researchers at the University of Chicago found a protein molecule that transmits genetic traits without DNA or RNA in yeast, forming long fibers like those seen in neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery sheds light on the mechanism behind these devastating brain disorders.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the gene KVLQT-1 is imprinted nearly everywhere in the body, but not typically in heart cells. This selective imprinting may explain why changes to the gene have different effects on heart rhythm and growth disorders.
Scientists have developed spectral karyotyping, a powerful new way to visualize human chromosomes in a full-color palette. This technique allows for easy examination of chromosome changes that could lead to disease, such as missing or extra pieces, and can be used to identify chromosomal abnormalities linked to disease progression.
Researchers have created a mouse model that mimics Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia (FCHL), a disorder causing high cholesterol and triglycerides, leading to premature heart disease. The study suggests APOC3 genetic variations underlie the disease, offering new hope for drug development.
Researchers localized the gene responsible for Parkinson's disease to a small region of chromosome 4, marking a significant advancement in understanding the disease. This finding is based on a large family study with multiple cases of Parkinson's disease over several generations.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Medical School have identified genes for two devastating genetic disorders affecting abnormal pigmentation, including Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome and Chediak-Higashi syndrome. The discoveries may pave the way for genetic testing to identify patients and carriers, as well as new areas of biology.
Recent studies from Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified genetic links to Crohn's disease, a condition affecting 400,000 US citizens. The research suggests multiple genes contribute to the disease, with earlier onset in families with a history of the condition.
Research by Dr. Roger Rosenberg and colleagues found that people with one-fourth Cherokee or less ancestry had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential protective genetic effect. The study suggests that ancestry may play a role in delaying the development of the disease after age 65.
The joint venture aims to improve the ability to diagnose, control, and cure cancers by identifying gene defects and relating them to treatment responses. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's retrospective database and Sequana's gene discovery platform will be combined to achieve this goal.
Scientists have developed a powerful new way to visualize the full set of human chromosomes using spectral karyotyping, which translates computer-gathered light waves into a full-color palette. This technique enables easy examination of chromosome changes that could lead to disease, such as missing or extra pieces.
Researchers have identified the gene responsible for Chediak-Higashi syndrome, a fatal childhood disease that weakens the immune system and increases cancer risk. The discovery could lead to new treatments and diagnostic tests for patients with cancer or autoimmune disorders like lupus.
Researchers at Duke University successfully demonstrate that placental blood can be used as a reliable alternative to traditional bone marrow donors for transplantation. The study's findings pave the way for innovative treatments in hematology and immunology.
Researchers have identified a second gene linked to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a bleeding disorder that affects 1 in 40,000 people. The discovery provides new understanding of how the body's vascular system operates and may offer hope for families affected by the disease.
Scientists found a connection between triplet repeat genes and brain disorders like Huntington's disease, where proteins errantly stick to an enzyme crucial for energy production in brain cells. The discovery offers a potential treatment option by blocking protein interactions.