The close relatives of someone with a complex disorder may have a higher chance of later developing the disorder than the close relatives of someone who does not have the disorder. VPHG is trying to learn more about these complex disorders by finding the changed genes that may be associated with these disorders. We hope that knowledge gained from studying the genetics of complex disorders may eventually lead to diagnostic testing and, in the future, clinical treatment. We welcome participation in our research studies. Without the participation of families, our efforts to understand and better treat diseases are impossible.
Families are essential to all the research being done.
We try to make participation as easy as possible for the families. Most of the time information and sample collection is done outside of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Information can be obtained over the phone or through the mail. In working with a family, we usually start by gathering family history information. We also need a one-time sample of blood from some relatives.