Cardiomyopathy Gene Identified

A new gene responsible for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common heart muscle disease, has been identified by Baylor College of Medicine researchers. DCM is the leading cause of heart failure in children and adults.

"This finding could help us diagnose patients before they become sick, treat them earlier and improve survival," said Dr. Jeffrey A. Towbin, a professor of pediatrics and director of the Heart Failure and Transplantation Unit at Texas Children's Hospital.

Baylor researchers believe their study identifies the portion of the heart at greatest risk for DCM and suggests that studying this "final common pathway" might help identify the other genes that would cause the disease. In addition, patients with DCM should by evaluated for muscle function, and neurologists who care for patients with muscle disease should be aware of the potential for heart muscle disease.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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