News and Events
NEI Symposium: Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Complement Factor H
Gene Found to Increase Risk of the Most Common Cause of Blindness
Tuesday, June 14th
9 A.M. - Noon
Lipsett Auditorium, NIH Clinical Center (Building 10)
Accessible to all by NIH Videocast in real time or following the symposium at http://videocast.nih.gov.
New research just published in Science and PNAS indicates that NIH scientists and grantees have identified a gene that is "strongly associated" with a person's risk for developing AMD, the leading cause of blindness for older Americans. This discovery, made by four independent teams, may lead to early detection and new strategies for prevention and treatment for this debilitating eye disease.
This symposium features lead authors of the four recent publications, presenting their data on the discovery of the association of AMD and complement factor H (CFH). It also features Michael Pangburn, Ph.D., an expert in CFH from the University of Texas, discussing the role of CFH. NEI Director Paul Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., will moderate a panel on the future of this research.
For additional information, please contact the NEI's Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Research at 301-496-6583.
To read more about the research, please see NEI Statement: Gene Found to Increase Risk of the Most Common Cause of Blindness.
