Molecular Changes Triggered by ACTA2 Variants Provides Insight for Vascular Disease Therapies
WeBINAR RECORDING AVAILABLE
Dr. Dianna M. Milewicz discusses how molecular changes triggered by ACTA2 variants provide insight on therapies for vascular diseases. Dr. Milewicz and her research team first identified ACTA2 as a cause of genetic aortic disease in 2007. Genetic alterations in ACTA2 cause a variety of problems, including aortic aneurysms, aortic dissections, early onset coronary artery disease due to atherosclerosis and moyamoya disease-like problems with the arteries in the brain.
Through research, Dr. Milewicz and her research team have identified why certain variants in ACTA2 cause early onset coronary artery disease, while other variants cause problems with the arteries in the brain. GADA Canada supports ACTA2/SMDS research by funding the patient registry of the Montalcino Aortic Consortium that is a repository of patient data from international aortic centers for studies driving precision medicine of different genetic aortic diseases.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Dianna M. Milewicz MD, PhD
Division Director, Professor, Vice-Chair, Medical Genetics.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Executive Chair, MAC Aorta - Montalcino Aortic Consortium
Dianna M. Milewicz, M.D., Ph.D., is the President George H.W. Bush Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Her work includes translational studies focused on genetic predisposition to aortic disease. She and her laboratory first identified ACTA2 as a cause of genetic aortic disease in 2007. She serves as the chair of the John Ritter Foundation Professional Advisory Board, and as a member of the Genetic Aortic Disorders Association Canada Professional Advisory Board.
EVENT DISCLAIMER: The information, in particular, the medical and scientific information, contained during the ACTA2 virtual event is provided with the understanding that this program is provided by voluntary health organizations and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or recommendations on diagnosis or treatment of any aortic disease or genetic aortic disorder. The contents of this webinar, such as presentations, discussions, text, graphics, images, and other materials are for educational and informational purposes only and as a benefit and service in furtherance of GADA Canada and the John Ritter Foundation. Genetic aortic disorders are complex and multi-systemic and that can only be properly diagnosed and managed by skilled and trained health care professionals. The manifestations and severity of these disorders vary greatly among individuals and require personalized medical management. None of the medications, courses of treatment or lifestyle & activity recommendations discussed in this virtual event or the websites of Gadacanada.ca or JohnRitterFoundation.org, should replace necessary consultations with qualified health care professionals.