Expansionary Institute

Researchers Locate Gene for Type of Blindness,

Researchers Locate Gene for Type of Blindness

Reuters

CLEVELAND (Jan. 2) - Researchers said Tuesday they have identified a gene linked to the most common cause of blindness and predicted the discovery will help in the search for a drug treatment.

The gene, called ELOVL4, was found to be the cause of Stargardt's macular degeneration, an early onset form of the disease that robs more people of their sight than any other cause, especially among the elderly.

"This important finding uncovers a new pathway in macular degeneration and will allow us to create an animal model to test potential drug therapies for both Stargardt's macular degeneration and age-related macular degeneration," Kang Zhang of the Cole Eye Institute and the Cleveland Clinic said in a statement.

Zhang's report on the discovery was published in this month's issue of the journal, Nature Genetics.

Macular degeneration, which tends to run in families, creates fuzzy vision, or shadowy areas and blind spots in the center of vision.

Most cases occur because of the aging and thinning of macular tissues, part of the light-sensitive retina at the back of the eye, or because of pigment deposits in the area. With 90 percent of the cases, called dry age-related macular degeneration, new blood vessels grow beneath the retina and leak blood and fluid, causing retinal cells to die and creating the blind spots.

Stargardt's macular degeneration is similar to the dry form of the disease, Zhang said, and the gene discovery will help scientists clarify its development.

Though there is no known treatment to restore vision lost to the disease, many researchers believe nutrition plays a role. Elderly patients at risk are sometimes urged to take zinc supplements and increase their intake of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins A, C and E.

Reuters 18:16 01-02-01

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