Genetic Studies of Normal Tension Glaucoma
A Family-based Approach to Find Normal Tension Glaucoma Genes
Project Summary. Glaucoma often runs in families. In rare cases, a large number of family members have normal tension glaucoma that is passed down from generation to generation in an obvious pattern. We have enrolled several such families with normal tension glaucoma into our research program. The pedigree or family tree of one of these normal tension glaucoma pedigrees is shown on the right.
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This is a pedigree or family tree of a family affected with normal tension glaucoma. The squares represent male family members while the circles represent females. The family members with black symbols have glaucoma while those with white symbols don’t have glaucoma. |
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We are studying normal tension glaucoma families to find the genes that cause their eye disease using a technique called linkage analysis. We collect DNA from family members and type each family member at tens of thousands of genetic markers that are scattered across the genome. By comparing the pattern of inheritance of the genetic markers to the pattern of inheritance of glaucoma in the family, we can map the position of the gene that causes the family’s disease to a small region of the genome. |
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