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Twin study explores factors that influence the course
of macular degeneration.
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| Article Type: | Brief article |
| Subject: |
Macular degeneration
(Development and progression) Macular degeneration (Research) Macular degeneration (Reports) Macular degeneration (Risk factors) Twin studies (Reports) |
| Pub Date: | 08/01/2011 |
| Publication: | Name: Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness Publisher: American Foundation for the Blind Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2011 American Foundation for the Blind ISSN: 0145-482X |
| Issue: | Date: August, 2011 Source Volume: 105 Source Issue: 8 |
| Topic: | Event Code: 310 Science & research |
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| Accession Number: | 265870244 |
| Full Text: |
Tufts Medical Center scientists recently published their
investigation of identical twins from the U.S. World War II Twin
Registry. "Smoking, Dietary Betaine, Methionine, and Vitamin D in
Monozygotic Twins with Discordant Macular Degeneration: Epigenetic
Implications," which appeared in the July 2011 issue of
Ophthalmology, is the first study to examine identical twin pairs in
which one twin had early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the
other had late-stage AMD. By examining identical twins with the same
genes, but whose disease was at different stages, researchers hoped to
identify environmental and behavioral factors that contribute to
severity of the disease. "We wanted to know why, if they have the
same genes, do they have different stages of the disease,"
explained lead researcher Johanna Seddon, director of the Epidemiology
and Genetics Service and professor of ophthalmology at Tufts University
School of Medicine. The study evaluated pairs of elderly male twins and
used a survey of personal dietary and health habits to determine
variations. Twins whose macular degeneration was at the early stages
tended to consume more vitamin D from dietary sources such as fish or
milk than their brothers. Similarly, Dr. Seddon's research team
also found that higher intakes of betaine and methionine were linked to
a slower progression of the disease. Betaine is found in fish, grains,
and spinach, and methionine is found in poultry, fish, and dairy foods.
The study also found that, among the pairs of twins, the twin who was
the heavier smoker tended to have the more severe case of macular
degeneration. These results indicate that both genetic susceptibility
and environmental factors are important in the development of AMD; and
further underscores the importance of modifiable behaviors, especially
avoiding smoking and eating a healthy diet, to help prevent or delay the
progression of macular degeneration. For more information, contact:
Johanna Seddon, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of
Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02110; web site:
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| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2011 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |
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