New Insights into the Etiology of Complex Common Diseases

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München, in cooperation with Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and King’s College London (KCL), have identified the association between genetic variants and specific metabolic changes. The study, published in Nature, provides new functional insights regarding associations between risk factors and the development of complex common diseases. Every individual is unique – a closer look at the individual’s metabolites could enable a better evaluation of the risks for developing complex common diseases in the future. more

New Insights into the Genetics of Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Attack

The pathogenesis of myocardial infarction is not only influenced by the patients’ way of life but also by hereditary risk factors. The important impact of these genetic risk factors has recently been corroborated by a huge scientific study. Together with an international consortium of 150 scientists NGFN researchers were able to identify 13 new risk genes for coronary artery disease, supplemented by the confirmation of ten previously known ones. In the long run the identification of these risk genes will open up so far unknown tracks for prevention and therapy of this fatal disease.  
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Altered Brain Structure in Smokers

In a comparative study NGFN scientists have shown a reduced thickness of the medial orbitofrontal cortex in smokers in contrast to persons who have never smoked. Interestingly the affected brain region plays a role in decisionmaking, reward and impulse control. Yet it is still unclear whether this alteration of the brain structure is caused by nicotine consumption or if it is a predisposition that promotes taking up smoking. Although it is known that nikotin has an destructive impact on nerve cells future studies have to clearify the causal relationship. 
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