Researchers at Wake Forest University found a single gene, called MYH9, may be responsible for many cases of kidney disease among African Americans. Although hypertension has been blamed for causing many forms of kidney disease in African Americans, a new study shows high blood pressure may not be the chief cause of the disease.
 
According to the study, about 70 percent of African Americans with non-diabetic kidney disease have the MYH9 gene. The gene predisposes African Americans to the kidney disease that was thought to stem from high blood pressure. It also makes them a higher risk of kidney disease associated with HIV.
 
This important genetic finding has the potential to lead to new treatment options to prevent kidney disease in African Americans.

This article originally appeared in the July 2009 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.