Gene research finds potential for new Macular Degeneration treatment

NBC Medical Watch
Published: August 28, 2008

Researchers have identified a gene that appears to be linked to the most common form of macular degeneration.  And in doing so, they discovered a promising new treatment may actually be causing the disease in some patients.
 
A group of researchers at the University of California San Diego, studied macular degeneration genes in the lab and in mice.  They found people who had increased activity in a specific receptor, had an higher risk for “dry” macular degeneration, which is the most common form of the disease.
Surprisingly, this receptor is activated in a new treatment for the other
form of the disease, called “wet” macular degeneration.
Researchers say while the treatment potentially lowers a patient’s risk for one disease, it also increases their risk for another.
Doctors say in the future patients may want to undergo genetic testing, before they try to prevent the eye disease.