{"id":4207,"date":"2025-01-23T20:11:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T20:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macumira-premium.4ecps.com\/?p=4207"},"modified":"2025-08-20T21:06:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T21:06:06","slug":"exploring-the-link-between-genetics-and-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macumira.com\/ca\/exploring-the-link-between-genetics-and-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the link between genetics and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)"},"content":{"rendered":"

How genetics are related to AMD and what you can do to reduce your risk?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of which is family history. Recent research has tried to understand this relationship and determine which genes may contribute to the development of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specific genes associated with AMD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scientists have identified over 30 genes associated with AMD using genome-wide association studies1<\/sup>. These types of studies compare the genetics of people with the disease and those without the disease. They then identify which genes are more common in people with the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, if researchers find that a lot of people with AMD have a particular gene that people without AMD don\u2019t have, they reason that this gene is associated with its development. While there are many genes found to be associated with AMD, the two with the strongest relationship are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. The complement cascade gene on chromosome 1<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The complement cascade is thought to be associated with the accumulation of waste products like drusen, which are associated with AMD1<\/sup>. It\u2019s thought that certain variations of this gene may affect the body\u2019s ability to regulate complement, which can lead to drusen buildups and in turn, AMD2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. The ARMS2\/HTRA1 gene on chromosome 10<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Genome-wide association studies have identified a gene called ARMS2\/HTRA1 on chromosome 10 to be strongly correlated with AMD1,2<\/sup>. However, they don\u2019t know what mechanism underlies this relationship1,2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Genetics and AMD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      While many genes have been associated with AMD, the relationship between genetics and AMD is complex, and specific genes alone cannot explain its development2<\/sup>. Although certain genes have been linked to AMD, some people without these genes end up developing the disease while others with the genes don\u2019t2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      For this reason, scientists propose that many other factors influence whether people develop AMD in addition to having genes that pose an increased risk. These factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n