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Towards Elucidating a Genetic Predisposition for Acute Stress-Induced (Takostubo) Cardiomyopathy?

Type: Heart

Grant holder: Dr Dana Dawson and Prof Zofia Miedzybrodzka, University of Aberdeen

Amount Awarded: £24,950 over two years

Year: 2019 - Ongoing

Stress-Induced (Takotsubo) Cardiomyopathy (also known as broken heart syndrome) presents like a heart attack, and is triggered by an intense episode of stress which can have catastrophic consequences. Despite links between broken heart syndrome and conditions which have a recognised genetic predisposition (neuro/psychiatric), a systematic investigation of Takotsubo has never been undertaken. Using the researcher’s Scotland-wide Takotsubo registry they wish to take blood for DNA analysis and eventually conclude if there is something in the genes that increases susceptibility to this condition. The researchers are ideally placed as because for genetic studies large numbers are need, representative of a county and they have created the largest unselected Takotsubo registry in the world.