Mayo Clinic to Examine Family History of Aneurysms

Thursday, April 08, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic seeks male and female volunteers over the age of 18 who have a family history of brain aneurysms. Entitled the Familial Intracranial Aneurysm Study (FIA) this collaborative research project brings together neurologists and neurosurgeons from the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this research study is to identify possible genes that may increase the risk of developing an aneurysm in blood vessels of the brain.

An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement in a weakened artery in the brain, like a blister on a blood vessel. As blood pulses through the artery, it exerts pressure on the weakened artery wall that can lead to a rupture, which causes the brain to hemorrhage.

It is estimated that between 3 and 5 million people in the United States have intracranial aneurysms, but the majority do not have symptoms. Symptoms of an intracranial aneurysm include severe headaches, loss of consciousness, pain in the neck, back, eye or face, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound.

Qualified participants will be asked to come to Mayo Clinic once for approximately a one-hour visit. This visit consists of an interview that will include a review of the family history of any aneurysms as well as the collection of a small blood sample. For those who cannot travel to Mayo Clinic, this interview can be done over the telephone, and the blood sample collected by a trained professional in the home at a time that is most convenient for the participant.

Other members of the participantÕs family who have been affected with a brain aneurysm or bleeding into the brain may also be asked to participate in this study. Participants will be contacted by mail once a year for five years to update their medical status and the status of their family members.

Those interested in obtaining more information or participating in this research study may call the FIA research study coordinator at 507-284-1080.

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Contact:
Richard Hurt, Jr.
507-266-2166 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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