(PreserveMacForte.com) A report featured in Nature Genetics notes that a collective effort involving researchers from around the world has discovered seven new genetic factors connected to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reported The Inquisitr recently.
According to the article, this finding could ultimately lead to the development of biological and therapeutic target treatments either t0 stop the eye ailment from occurring or t0 blot it out altogether.
According to the article, the AMD Gene Consortium, a group of 18 research entities backed by the National Eye Institute, confirmed a dozen genetic loci discovered in earlier studies. The study, noted the report, happens to be the most thorough genome-wide research of genetic variations connected with AMD.
According to the article, researchers analyzed genetic information from in excess of 17,000 patients diagnosed with late-stage AMD and in excess of 60,000 people who did not have the disease. The loci they discovered include genes that take part in immune system signaling, remodeling of the matrix around the cell, lipid metabolism and blood vessel establishment. The researchers, according to the article, will continue to look into the genetic regions.
The article cited Jonathan Haines, principle investigator, lead author and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Human Genetics Research as saying that, “The consortium’s efforts have now explained up to 65% of the genetics of AMD … We’re getting closer and closer to understanding the full list of risk factors for AMD.”
According to the article, AMD is a common progressive neurodegenerative ailment that leads to vision impairment in aged 5o and above. Although AMD harms vision, it does not lead to total blindness, noted the article.
According to a portion of the article citing the National Eye Institute, approximately 2 million people in the U.S. currently have advanced AMD. Risks factors mentioned in the articles included not only genetic causes like heredity and race, but also age, hypertension, smoking, diet and weight. Treatments currently available can slow down progression of macular degeneration, but they are unable to reverse the condition, according to the article.
Meanwhile, research has shown that people can lower their risks of getting AMD by eating lots of fish with omega-3 fatty acids.