Researchers at Haukeland University Hospital and the University of Bergen have identified a previously unknown gene mutations in human beings with chronic diarrhea. Discovery may have consequences for the treatment of crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome, which affects up to 20 percent of the population.
– Chronic diarrhea is a frequent condition in the population, but until now we had little knowledge about the causes of the various forms of this disease group. Through our work we have been able to identify a gene called GUCY2C. Now, we know that this gene cause a hereditary form of diarrhea that resembles irritable bowel syndrome. This new understanding gives us new possibilities for treatment, explains physician at the Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine (MGM) Torunn Fiskerstrand.
The results were presented in the prestigious journal The New England Journal of Medicine 21 March.
– We are very proud to be first out to identify and describe genetic disorders and the consequences. This is the biggest and best work we’ve done, and I would like to thanks all who have taken part in the research project, says Per Knappskog, professor and head of research and development at MGM.
