Medical researchers honoured for identifying ‘Newfoundland curse’
Sean Connors, left to right, Kathy Hodgkinson, Terry-Lynn Young and Daryl Pullman are seen in this undated handout photo.
The Canadian Press/HO, Rich Blenkinsopp, Memorial University of Newfoundland
A
A
A research team is receiving the Governor General’s Innovation Award today for identifying the cause of the “Newfoundland curse” – a deadly heart condition that has afflicted families on the island for centuries.
The condition, known to the medical community as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, is a genetic cardiac muscle disorder that often shows no symptoms before sudden cardiac arrest.
READ MORE: New ferry means France could soon be just a short drive from Newfoundland
Terry-Lynn Young, Kathy Hodgkinson, Sean Connors and Daryl Pullman of Memorial University of Newfoundland led research that identified the genetic mutation and the cause of the lethal heart attacks.
The team also developed a screening test for people at risk.
READ MORE: Newfoundland bracing for 30 centimetres of snow… in May
Eighty per cent of men and 20 per cent of women with ARVC die by age 50.
The four researchers are the first recipients of the award from Memorial University.
© 2018 The Canadian Press
Editor's Picks
Canada's last military prison costs $2M a year. About half the time, it has no prisoners
NDP tied with PCs as Ford's Tories tumble in Ontario election: Ipsos poll
ANALYSIS: For the Wynne Liberals, the Ontario election has always been 'Save the Furniture'
It used to take 10 years to diagnose multiple sclerosis. Now it takes mere minutes
Women are 3 times more likely to get MS than men — here's what we know
'All I knew was that I couldn’t walk anymore:’ Canadians living with MS
Multiple sclerosis in Canada: Understanding why MS rates are the highest here
FLYERS
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.