If you have celiac disease you have an opportunity to take part in a new study — all you really need to do is a blood draw, and you don’t have to pay for it.
The University of California — Irvine is looking closely at the genes that may predispose people to develop celiac disease. Researchers will also be looking closely at identifying other factors that are associated with celiac disease. The study is funded through the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers hope once they can identify the genes, the information may “…lead to better diagnosis, treatment and possibly even prevention of celiac disease,” says Maryam Sousavi, Study Manager at the Epidemiology Department at UCI.
Here’s what you need to know — you must be formally diagnosed with celiac by a small-intestinal biopsy. You’ll be expected to provide a blood sample and fill out a questionnaire. Anyone in the US can do this study, because the researchers are paying for the testing and for overnight shipping to the lab. Researchers will share your lab results with you. Participants will also get paid $25.00 for taking part. Organizers even recommend inviting a non-celiac spouse to take the test because they need controls for the study.
For more information contact Maryam Mousavi at mmousavi@uci.edu.
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