Aberdeen Research Study

[Guest guest]

I came across this information about a research study awhile ago and can't

remember if I posted it to the list or not...Was wondering if any UK or

European families are involved? (Suppose I could've searched the

archives....oh well, this is easier...)

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Aberdeen scientists launch recruitment drive for clubfoot research

Date: March 30, 2001

A team of scientists from the University of Aberdeen are set to recruit a

further 800 families from throughout the UK and the Netherlands for a major

research programme into the genetic causes of clubfoot.

DNA samples from a total of 1,000 families throughout the UK and Europe will

be collected from children with the condition and their parents as part of

the Exploring Causes of Clubfoot in Europe (ECCE) project, which began last

August.

The samples will be studied to identify the genes involved in the cause of

clubfoot, and questionnaire data will be used to study environmental

factors. Previous medical studies have suggested that there are both genetic

and environmental causes of clubfoot, but these are as yet unknown.

The project has been funded by British charity SPARKS (SPort Aiding medical

Research for Kids - correct), which gave an initial grant of £30,000 to

Simon Barker and Chesney, orthopaedic surgeons in the Aberdeen team.

They developed a new digital photographic method of assessing the legs of

children with clubfoot.

SPARKS awarded a further grant of £122,000 to the University last August for

the next phase of the research project, which is being headed up by medical

geneticist Dr Zosia Miedzybrodzka.

“This next stage of our research involves working with the UK support group

STEPS (the National Association for Children with Lower Limb Abnormalities)

and the Dutch clubfoot support group VOK.

“We are aiming to get samples from 1,000 families altogether, which will be

studied to identify the genes involved in the cause of clubfoot, and

questionnaire data will be used to study environmental factors.”

At least one in 1,000 children in Britain is affected with clubfoot, or

congenital talipes equinovarus, a disorder of the development of the foot

and lower leg. Some children do well following treatment, but a significant

number continue to experience problems.

Further Information:

University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email

a.ramsay@....

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Here's the link to the article:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/2001/pr818.hti

Best,

Joanne

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