Vitamin D status, related gene polymorphisms, and physical function in elders

描述（由申请人提供）：候选人：候选人是内科老年学和老年医学科的讲师。她以前的研究经验集中在营养和肥胖对老年人身体功能和残疾的作用。接受该MRSDA将提供遗传学和遗传流行病学方面的培训，以检查基因-环境（例如，营养和身体活动）对身体功能的相互作用。候选人将获得遗传学，遗传流行病学和遗传数据分析方面的教学培训，以及识别维生素D相关基因多态性的实践培训。研究：本研究将检查维生素D状态（如循环25（OH）D和PTH所示）与维生素D相关基因多态性（例如，维生素D受体（VDR）基因）对肌肉力量和身体功能的影响，这是一项随机对照试验，对比了身体活动干预与成功的老龄化计划对老年人意外活动障碍的影响。假设是低维生素D状态和维生素D相关基因多态性将与（a）基线时较低水平的肌肉力量和身体功能相关;（B）成功的老龄化计划参与者中肌肉力量和身体功能下降的比率较高;和（c）身体活动干预参与者中肌肉力量和身体功能改善的比率较低。IDEA研究的重复数据集将用于重新评估维生素D相关基因多态性对肌肉力量和身体功能的影响。她所获得的知识将为在遗传学和基因-环境相互作用对身体功能和残疾领域的独立研究生涯奠定基础。工作环境：维克森林大学医学院的研究环境非常好，有经验丰富的流行病学，衰老和残疾导师（Stephen Kritchevsky博士）;分子遗传学（Donald Bowden博士）;和遗传数据分析（Carl Langefeld博士）。相关性：维生素D不足在老年人中很常见，可能会加速残疾过程。了解维生素D和维生素D相关基因的变异与维持身体功能之间的关系具有重要的公共卫生意义。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): CANDIDATE: The candidate is an Instructor in the Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine. Her previous research experience focused on the role of nutrition and obesity on physical function and disability in older adults. Receipt of this MRSDA will provide training in genetics and genetic epidemiology in order to examine gene-environment (e.g., nutrition and physical activity) interactions on physical function. The candidate will acquire didactic training in genetics, genetic epidemiology, and analysis of genetic data, as well as hands on training to identify polymorphisms in vitamin D-related genes. RESEARCH: This study will examine the association between vitamin D status, as indicated by circulating 25(OH)D and PTH, and vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms (e.g., vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene) on muscle strength and physical function in the LIFE Pilot Study, a randomized controlled trial contrasting the effect of a physical activity intervention versus a successful aging program on incident mobility disability in older adults. The hypotheses are that low vitamin D status and vitamin D- related gene polymorphisms will be associated with (a) lower levels of muscle strength and physical function at baseline; (b) higher rates of decline in muscle strength and physical function among successful aging program participants; and (c) lower rates of improvement in muscle strength and physical function among physical activity intervention participants. A replication dataset, the IDEA Study, will be used to reevaluate the effects of vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms on muscle strength and physical function. The knowledge she acquires will provide the basis for an independent research career in the areas of genetics and gene-environment interactions on physical function and disability. ENVIRONMENT: The research environment at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is excellent with senior experienced mentors in epidemiology, aging, and disability (Dr. Stephen Kritchevsky); molecular genetics (Dr. Donald Bowden); and analysis of genetic data (Dr. Carl Langefeld). RELEVANCE: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in older adults and may accelerate the disablement process. Understanding the relationship between vitamin D and variations in vitamin D-related genes and the maintenance of physical function is of significant public health importance.