Genes may help treat blindness.CHILDREN born congenitally blind may be able to see, thanks to gene therapy. US scientists have achieved a breakthrough in partially treating Leber's congenital amaurosis Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a rare inherited eye disease that appears at birth or in the first few months of life It was first described by Theodore Leber in the 19th century. ( LCA LCA Life Cycle Assessment LCA Saint Lucia (ISO Country code) LCA Life Cycle Analysis LCA Linux.conf.au (Australian Linux conference) LCA Labor Condition Application LCA Light Combat Aircraft ), a disease related to multiple genes, using gene therapy. The disease is associated with damage of light receptors in the retina. It appears at birth or in the first few months of life and causes total blindness during a patient's twenties or thirties. Currently, there is no treatment for the condition. A team of scientists from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine and the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the largest and oldest children's hospitals in the world. "CHOP" has been ranked as the best children's hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report and Child Magazine in recent years. used gene therapy in five children and seven adults suffering from LCA. They gave the patients a single injection of genes which produced proteins to make light receptors in their retinas work. The team used adenoassociated virus, which was genetically engineered genetically engineered adjective Recombinant, see there to carry a normal gene called RPE RPE Retinal Pigment Epithelium RPE Rating of Perceived Exertion (exercise) RPE Respiratory Protective Equipment RPE Regular Pulse Excitation RPE Registered Professional Engineer RPE Rapid Palatal Expansion 65, to deliver the gene to patients. RPE65 is mutated in eight to 16 per cent of all LCA cases. The injection was given in a surgical procedure. Two weeks later, all the patients reported improvement in dim light. The greatest improvement occurred in children, all of whom were able to navigate a low- light obstacle course obstacle course n. 1. A training course filled with obstacles, such as ditches and walls, that must be negotiated speedily by troops undergoing training or participants in an obstacle race. 2. , the scientists said. Though the patients did not attain normal eyesight, six of the 12 improved enough that they may no longer be classified as medically blind. The study has been published in Lancet . The improvement in sight has persisted for almost two years following the injections of genes in the retina. Copyright 2009 India Today Group. All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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