Cardiovascular Genetics Research Grants 

Nearly all funding is from NIH grants. However, some funding is available from drug companies. We are currently participating in the following research projects:

1. Longitudinal changes in carotid intimal-medial thickness (IMT) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and the relationships of antioxidants and other risk factors to IMT as a reflection of change in risk of CHD. 
2. World-wide effort to identify and refer for lipid control all persons with FH.  Over 50,000 heterozygotes from 35 countries have been identified.
3. Genetic linkage and association analyses of lipids in large pedigrees selected for CHD and random controls. Over 500 genome search markers have been genotyped
4. Genetic linkage and association analyses of obesity phenotypes in large pedigrees selected for severe obesity. Over 500 genome search markers have been genotyped. We also have a project recruiting and examining extremely thin family members (BMI<19 for women and <20 for men) to find genes related to thinness.
5. Genetic linkage and association analyses of hypertension, various blood pressure measurements, echocardiographic phenotypes, and intermediate phenotypes for hypertension in small families. This is part of the NHLBI Family Blood Pressure Program, a collaboration of 20 universities to find genes for hypertension and cardiac size/function. Almost 400 linkage markers have been genotyped on all subjects and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are currently being pursued.
6. Genetic association analyses of a large number of hypertension intermediate phenotypes obtained in the hospital GCRC on both a low and high salt diet. Angiotensin II is infused during this protocol.
7. Genetic linkage and association analyses of a large number of CVD risk factors in 3-generation pedigrees selected either at random or through positive family histories of CHD. This is a multi-center study called the NHLBI Family Heart Study. Phenotypes include lipids, clotting factors, homocysteine, blood pressure, anthropometrics, inflammatory phenotypes, and IMT. A large subset of these subjects have returned to clinic approximately 7 years later for measurements of inflammatory markers, blood pressure, obesity and calcium of the coronary arteries and aorta by helical CT scans.
8. The genetic epidemiology of aging as measured by changes in cardiovascular phenotypes over 10 years of follow-up in members of large pedigrees examined three times. Almost 400 linkage markers have been genotyped on all subjects and SNPs are currently being pursued. 20-Year follow-up of morbidity and mortality are also underway.
9. The morbidity and mortality associated with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery procedure is being evaluated in 400 severely obese surgical patients compared to 800 severely obese controls. Metabolic rates, pulmonary function, ECG, echocardiography, treadmill tests, biochemical measurements, anthropometrics, sleep apnea monitoring, blood pressure, and other measurements are collected during an overnight stay in the GCRC.
10. The pharmacogenomics of medication lowering of triglycerides is being studied to determine genetic influences on treatment efficacy. Examinations are just being completed and data analysis is beginning.