Summary

Eligibility
for people ages 49 years and up (full criteria)
Healthy Volunteers
healthy people welcome
Location
at UCLA
Dates
study started
completion around
Principal Investigator
by Michael B Gorin, MD, PhD (ucla)

Description

Summary

The original study (GARM I) has been conducted for more than 18 years at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). GARM II is a nationwide research study about age-related macular degeneration in the next generation of adults (49 to 65 years old). The purpose of this study is to identify the hereditary and exposure risk factors that lead to the development of ARM (Age related maculopathy).

Participants will communicate with the research staff through a protected and confidential website and use this website to complete a number of questionnaires during the course of the study (see below). For genetic analyses, the participants will mail in easily self-collected saliva samples in special containers. Eye photographs and eye health records are sent to the research center from local sources through the Internet. Individuals are not expected to come to UCLA in order to participate.

https://jseiclinres.jsei.ucla.edu/garm/

Participants will be expected to answer questionnaires or surveys about medical history, ocular history and visual symptoms, family history, smoking, dietary supplements and light exposure.

Official Title

Genetics of Age Related Maculopathy

Details

Age-related macular degeneration (ARM) is a major cause of vision loss in the elderly. It is thought that smoking and diet may contribute to the risk of developing the condition but it is clear that heredity plays a major role. Variations in two genes, CFH and HTRA1/ARMS2, have been found to strongly contribute to the risk of developing ARM, but there are additional genes that influence a person's chances of having this condition and how they will progress to vision loss. We are investigating these genetic variations that contribute to ARM so that we can eventually understand the causes of this complex condition. We study the genetic variations (SNPs) that are shared among ARM-affected individuals within families as well as compare the frequencies of genetic variations in ARM-affected individuals with those in unaffected persons who are matched in age, gender, and exposures. We are conducting studies with the DNA from our previous cohort of research participants as well as developing a prospective study of high-risk family members and their spouses to evaluate genetic risks and presymptomatic retinal changes. Our long-term goals are to develop new preventive therapies that can slow or halt the development of this disease and to be able to provide these treatments to those who are at greatest risk before they experience vision-threatening changes.

The goal of this study (GARM II) is to determine how the combination of genetic, dietary, health and exposure factors such as light, diet, and smoking contributes to one's risk of developing this condition. This is not a treatment study and does not involve any preventive therapies or direct treatments of ARM. We aim to find some insights for future preventive strategies through a group of people who are at a higher than normal risk for developing ARM (because of their family history) and their partners who represent the risk in the general population. Because ARM is a complex disease and is affected by many factors, we also want to know how other medical conditions may be associated or not with this eye condition.

Participants will communicate with the research staff through a protected, HIPAA-compliant and confidential website and use this website to complete a number of questionnaires during the course of the study. For genetic analyses, the participants will mail in easily self-collected saliva samples in special containers. Eye photographs and eye health records are sent to the research center from local sources through the Internet. Individuals are not expected to come to UCLA in order to participate.

https://jseiclinres.jsei.ucla.edu/garm/

Keywords

Age-related Macular Degeneration, Age-related Maculopathy, AMD, Genetic risk, Environmental risk factors, Complex genetic disorder, Risk modeling, Smoking, Light exposure, Sleep apnea, Fundus Photography, Macula, Drusen, Wet AMD, Dry AMD, Geographic atrophy, Vitamins & supplements, Macular Degeneration

Eligibility

You can join if…

Open to people ages 49 years and up

  • Individuals should have an email account and access to the Internet in order to use the website for this study. Individuals who are unfamiliar or physically challenged with using computers may have another person assist them with reviewing messages, questions and entering information and making inquiries.
  • ARM at-risk individuals between the ages of 49 to 65 years old who have at least one parent either deceased or alive with diagnosis of macular degeneration. This group includes the "third generation children" of our original GARM study.
  • Individuals between the ages of 49 to 65 years old who are either a spouse or partner of an ARM at-risk adult (those individuals described above with a parent diagnosed with ARM).
  • Individuals who have vision loss from ARM and a known family history of ARM (at least a brother, sister, or a parent). These individuals should have at least one at-risk child between the ages of 49 to 65 years old who is willing to participate in this study.

You CAN'T join if...

  • Inability to give informed consent. Adaptations will be provided to allow those who are unable to read because of vision loss to participate in the informed consent process.(Proxy)
  • For the at risk individuals and their spouses/partners, they will be excluded if they do not have access and the ability to use a computer that is connected to the Internet.

Locations

  • Jules Stein Eye Institute, Dept. of Ophthalmology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
    Los Angeles California 90095 United States
  • University of Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15260 United States

Lead Scientist at University of California Health

  • Michael B Gorin, MD, PhD (ucla)
    Michael B. Gorin, M.D., Ph.D., holds the Harold and Pauline Price Chair in Ophthalmology.

Details

Status
in progress, not accepting new patients
Start Date
Completion Date
(estimated)
Sponsor
University of California, Los Angeles
ID
NCT01115387
Study Type
Observational
Participants
About 603 people participating
Last Updated