Research team identifies childhood blindness gene

By: Joshua Nubrick, 2007 June 25

A McGill University-led study has identified a gene responsible for the most common cause of congenital blindness in infants and small children.

Lead officer Dr. Parliamentarian Koenekoop says the discovery has the potential to fast-track a cure for Leber Nonheritable Amaurosis, or LCA. The team, which included Dutch and British researchers, used a new technique called S-N-P (single nucleotide polymorphism) discipline which led to deed of the new gene titled LCA-5.

The researchers say in the past, large families were necessary to find genes, but only samples from one Quebec and one American enduring were used this time. An estimated 200,000 children worldwide are afflicted with L-C-A. The study, part funded by the Foundation Conflict Blindness in Canada, is publicized in Sunday's issue of Nature Genetics.