Abstract
An extensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genetic factors that predispose people to chronic kidney disease identified 35 kidney genes that increase a person’s chance of developing the disease.
Study co-investigator Fadi Charchar, Ph.D., a professor at Federation University Australia said “we hope that early prediction by genetic testing, even before the development of symptoms, will in the future be the first line of defense against one of the world’s top killers. Early detection followed by treatment using kidney-protective medication or avoidance of drugs which can damage the kidneys is the key to healthier kidneys later in life.”
While encouraged by their findings, the investigators remain cautious to draw any broad conclusions yet, as there is still considerable work to be done identifying potential diagnostic or therapeutic interventions that can be derived from this data.
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