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

描述（由申请人提供）：候选人：该候选人是内科老年医学和老年医学部分的讲师。她之前的研究经验主要集中在营养和肥胖对老年人身体功能和残疾的作用。收到该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（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：本研究将在LIFE先导研究中研究维生素D状态（如循环25(OH)D和PTH）与维生素D相关基因多态性（如维生素D受体（VDR）基因）与肌肉力量和身体功能之间的关系，这是一项随机对照试验，对比体育活动干预与成功的衰老计划对老年人意外行动障碍的影响。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)基线时较低的肌肉力量和身体功能水平有关；(b)在成功的衰老计划参与者中，肌肉力量和身体功能的下降率更高；(c)在体力活动干预的参与者中，肌肉力量和身体功能的改善率较低。IDEA研究的复制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她在身体功能和残疾的遗传学和基因-环境相互作用领域的独立研究事业提供基础。环境：维克森林大学医学院拥有优秀的研究环境，在流行病学、老龄化和残疾方面有资深经验的导师（Dr. Stephen Kritchevsky）；分子遗传学（唐纳德·鲍登博士）；和基因数据分析（卡尔·兰格菲尔德博士）。相关性：维生素D不足在老年人中很常见，并可能加速失能过程。了解维生素D和维生素D相关基因变异与身体功能维持之间的关系对公众健康具有重要意义。

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.