UPDATE FOR FAMILIES WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE TYPE UNKNOWN STUDY:

Preliminary genetic analysis is underway, and any obvious findings will be reported back to families by the end of 2022.

While this progress is promising, initial research has found that many families won’t have obvious findings, and deeper analysis is needed, which will extend into 2023.

As findings are made and confirmed, they will be reported. If a family does not receive a positive report in 2022, it doesn’t mean they will never receive a report; their case just requires further analysis and reporting will take place at a later date. Please note that this study is now closed and not accepting new participants.

Ectodermal Dysplasia – Type Unknown

Dr. Richard A. Lewis

The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) has partnered with Baylor-Hopkins Center for Mendelian Genomics in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine to launch a research study to identify a specific ectodermal dysplasia diagnosis for all individuals on our database. Richard Alan Lewis, M.D., M.S. is one of the primary investigators and a member of the NFED Scientific Advisory Council.

Many individuals have a diagnosis of ectodermal dysplasia but do not know which of the 100+ types they have. We call this “type unknown.” There are numerous benefits of having a specific diagnosis which you can read about here.

In this joint program, families which have never had a genetic explanation for the features of their ectodermal dysplasia will be enrolled in a research program that will undertake intensive studies of their genetics, both to find currently unknown genes responsible for the ectodermal dysplasia and to open new understandings of what is the normal function of that gene.

Dr. Lewis explains the project in this video.

Why Identifying Genes Is Important

Finding the responsible gene for a family with an unknown type of ectodermal dysplasia permits a precise diagnosis and thus counselling about its potential effects in other organs throughout life. It also allows accurate medical advice and counselling for relatives and future family members about the risks that the condition may re-occur. More importantly, finding the gene for a new medical condition is the first step in the path toward informed and properly directed treatment(s).

Finding the responsible gene is also a major stimulus for research. We cannot repair a broken piece of machinery without the blueprint from which it is built or knowing which part of the instruction manual is missing or improperly written.  The same thing is true for our genes and DNA.

We have to know where the gene is altered or damaged and what it didn’t do correctly to find treatments and cures. If you don’t have an accurate diagnosis, it is possible that your family could miss out on future treatments. Diagnosis, genetic testing, and gene identification is the first major step in finding new pathways to identify future therapies and to change its outcomes.

The NFED is not currently accepting enrollment for this study.

For More Information

If you still have questions, we encourage you to read our FAQ document.

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You can also email Kelley or call her at 618-566-6873.