Migraine risk increased in families with epilepsy
A FAMILY history of epilepsy could increase the risk of migraines, a US study has suggested.
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genes
The following articles have the tag genes
Rare diabetes type may be over-treated
SOME patients with diabetes may be over-treated because doctors are unaware that they have an uncommon form of the disease attributable to a single genetic cause, an expert says. Monogenetic diabetes was caused by a single mutation to one of several genes and affected 2–5% of patients with diabetes, according to Dr Andrew Cotterill, director of paediatric endocrinology at the Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane. It was important to identify these patients because family members would be affected, the patient can often stop taking insulin, and follow-up need only be annual, Dr Cotterill told the Australian Diabetes Society ...
Breakthrough in solving MS mystery
A MAJOR international study has identified 57 genes associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Analysis of DNA samples provided by more than 9500 people with MS found the patients had subtle, inherited differences in their immune function compared to healthy individuals. The study was one of the largest human genetic studies ever undertaken, involving more than 250 researchers from 15 countries including Australia. More than 1000 Australians with MS provided DNA samples which were analysed by a consortium of Australian and New Zealand scientists involved in the study. Until now, scientists were aware ...
New gene therapy uses T-cells to attack tumours
US RESEARCHERS have reported striking success in the use of a novel gene therapy technique to reduce tumour burden in three patients with advanced chronic lymphoid leukaemia. The technique, which harnesses autologous T-cells to target and destroy tumour cells, may be applicable to a range of other cancers, scientists said. “We saw amazing results,” study author Dr Michael Kalos (PhD) said. “These were nasty tumours that were late-stage, a lot of mutations that had a bad prognosis. “We saw massive reductions in tumour burden. One patient had ...
Epstein-Barr virus may increase MS risk
PAST infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may increase a person's risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) if they have certain genetic variations, Australian research shows. In a case-control study, researchers led by a team from the Australian National University (ANU) found the presence of EBV antibodies and a history of infectious mononucleosis was related to an increased risk of demyelinating disease, an association consistent with other, previous studies. In addition, the researchers showed specific genetic mutations (HLA-DR15 or HLA-A genotype) increased the risk of a first demyelinating event about 20-fold. ...
Shared genetic risk found for Crohn’s and coeliac disease
RESEARCHERS have found four common genetic risk loci after a combined meta-analysis of genome-wide data for both Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease. Both of these diseases are complex genetic traits with multiple genetic and non-genetic risk factors. Scientists from the Netherlands, the US and Canada found two shared-risk loci that had previously been independently identified for each disease – the PTPN2 and IL18RAP – and a further two, TAGAP and PUS10i. At least one in 100 people in the Western world develops coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease being far less common. Previous studies have shown coeliac ...
Designs on your DNA
Should we be concerned when insurance companies start offering their clients genetic tests? Mandy Bryan finds out.