Fainting genes studied

Tuesday April 16th, 2013

The tendency to faint may be genetic - but not the triggers that make people collapse, researchers say today.

In some cases, families may carry a single gene that places them at risk of fainting, according to the new study.

But individual family members still find different experiences make them fall.

The findings come from a study of 44 families in Australia with a history of fainting problems.

Researchers found six families with a large number of affected members - and conclude from this that a single gene may be responsible. One family had 30 people affected over three generations.

Reporting in Neurology, the researchers say they have found a link with a gene 15q26 found on chromosome 15 in the largest family and in two others.

The study also found that victims tended to collapse after a range of triggers - such as the sight of blood, standing, pain, injury and fear of medical procedures. But none of these were consistent between families.

Researcher Dr Samuel Berkovic, of the University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, said: "Our study strengthens the evidence that fainting may be commonly genetic.

"Our hope is to uncover the mystery of this phenomenon so that we can recognise the risk or reduce the occurrence in people as fainting may be a safety issue."

Neurology 16 April 2013

Tags: Australia | General Health | Genetics

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