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Research elsewhere has demonstrated that alpha adrenoceptor function is under considerable genetic control in humans. This means that Raynaud’s disease could also be controlled by our genes (hereditary). In our laboratory at Wayne State University, we are investigating this possibility. We are trying to identify a genetic component in Raynaud’s disease. So far, we have been able to demonstrate that the chances of having Raynaud’s disease is indeed greater if you have another family member with primary Raynaud’s. This was determined by studying the first degree relatives of 23 Raynaud’s disease patients and comparing them to their non-blood relatives. Combining the research evidence of increased incidence of Raynaud’s within families of affected individuals, the alpha 2 adrenoceptor abnormality in Raynaud’s disease patients, with the finding that the alpha adrenoceptors are under genetic control suggests that Raynaud’s disease may be controlled by our genes. Our goal is to verify this finding in a larger sample of patients and to determine if primary Raynaud’s is actually inherited along with this marker gene.
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