Brandon Comer
Research Mentor: Shannon Rudy
Mentor Department: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine
Author(s): Brandon Comer, Shannon Rudy
Session: Session 2 (10:00 AM – 10:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 16
Abstract
Bell’s Palsy is a disease in which patients develop sudden onset weakness or paralysis of facial muscles. The exact mechanism is unknown but thought to be possibly viral mediated. There is a wide range of disease severity and recovery observed among affected individuals. A study is being performed to measure whether there are genetic factors that contribute to disease severity. To assess this hypothesis, we are partnering with the Michigan Genomics Initiative (MGI) to perform a recontact study on hundreds of previous patients classified to have experienced Bell’s Palsy with different levels of severity are being interviewed whom have had genotyping performed. These interactions assign each patient with scores across various areas including facial movement, sensations, etc. This data will then be used to compare patient genomes to perform statistical tests to find genes with high association of severity for the disease (target genes for this study). Once target genes are found, the study will then analyze these target genes for variability and significance. This research will help identify genetic predispositions which will aid with patient treatment and will further understand how this condition impacts people across different demographics. This study is an extension of a similar study that was performed on a population of Iceland, with the new study being performed in Michigan which has greater genetic diversity. This will thus provide more generalizability of results to a greater population.
