The Role of the Gut Metagenome on the Development of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Last updated on July 2021Recruitment
- Recruitment Status
- Recruiting
- Estimated Enrollment
- Same as current
Summary
- Conditions
- Age - Related Macular Degeneration
- Type
- Observational
- Design
- Observational Model: CohortTime Perspective: Prospective
Participation Requirements
- Age
- Between 18 years and 125 years
- Gender
- Both males and females
Description
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in the elderly. Despite major research efforts in the last decades the etiology of AMD remains largely undefined and therefore treatment options are only very limited. However, there is evidence that nutrition and inflamm...
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in the elderly. Despite major research efforts in the last decades the etiology of AMD remains largely undefined and therefore treatment options are only very limited. However, there is evidence that nutrition and inflammation play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD . The latter is also corroborated by the finding that single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene encoding complement factor H is associated with AMD . In addition to CHF other genes such as ARMS2, C3, PLEKHA1, HTRA-1, VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGFR and APOE have been associated with development of AMD. Recent findings have implicated the gut microbiota as a contributor of metabolic diseases through the modulation of host metabolism and inflammation . Gut bacteria use mostly fermentation to generate energy, converting sugars, in part, to short-chain fatty acid, that are used by the host as energy source. Beyond short-chain fatty acids gut bacteria can provide some amino acids and contribute certain vitamins such as biotin to the host . The investigators propose to investigate whether compositional and functional alterations of the gut microbiota are a risk factor for developing AMD.
Tracking Information
- NCT #
- NCT02438111
- Collaborators
- Not Provided
- Investigators
- Study Chair: Sebastian Wolf, M.D, PhD Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland Principal Investigator: Martin S Zinkernagel, MD, PhD Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Bern, Switzerland Study Director: Martin Fiedler, MD University Hospital Bern, Switzerland