Marshfield Clinic's Genetic Samples Included in International Study Data
Monday, January 4th, 2016 -- 8:01 AM
-Marshfield Clinic patients' genetic samples were used in an international study that has significantly expanded the number of genetic factors known to play a role in age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older.Supported by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, the findings may help researchers understand the biological processes that lead to AMD, and may make it possible to identify new therapeutic targets for potential drug development. AMD is a progressive disease that causes the death of the retinal photoreceptors, the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. The most severe damage occurs in the macula, a small area of the retina needed for sharp, central vision necessary for reading, driving and other daily tasks.
Marshfield Clinic patients comprised one of the largest groups in this international study. The Clinic provided DNA samples from people with and without AMD, including age- and gender-matched cases and controls, and samples from the oldest people without AMD. The patients' personal information was removed from the data so they can't be identified.
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