University of Leipzig is researching common diseases

Study Center for the Study of Common Diseases Opens in Leipzig

08/15/2014

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Leipzig has opened on Friday a new study center for the study of common diseases. As part of the „National Cohort ", currently the largest German population study, will also be examined 10,000 Leipzig, focusing on the causes of common diseases.The Leipzig Study Center is one of 18 such institutions nationwide.

Causes of common diseases need further research
Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and hypertension are among the common diseases of the Germans. The number of those affected is increasing annually. „It is of great national importance to identify the risk factors of these common diseases, to identify ways of effective prevention and to identify ways of detecting diseases, "said Sabine von Schorlemer, Saxon Minister of State for Science and the Arts, at the opening of the center. „And not just for the benefit of the individual, but for our society as a whole, especially against the backdrop of the challenge of demographic change. "

The project manager Prof. Markus Löffler also sees a wide range of applications for the results: „There is great potential for future health care in this project. More than 50 percent of over 50-year-old Germans suffer from hypertension. There are other common diseases. In the long term, this will bring enormous costs to our healthcare system. Not to mention that the quality of life of those affected is limited and relatives bear not inconsiderable burdens. "The results of the study should help to detect common diseases earlier and take better protective measures.

Research into common diseases by means of special tests and examinations
Study participants undergo a series of memory tests, pulmonary function visual acuity and function of the musculoskeletal system. „The fact that the data are collected nationwide and thus also regional comparability created, opens up an enormous potential for knowledge of science and progress. It is important that Saxony is represented by the Leipzig Study Center in this unique network“, said the Minister of Science, who accompanied the first participant in his walk.
The project „National Cohort "is funded with 210 million euros by the federal government, the participating countries and the Helmholtz Association The Leipzig Research Center is to carry out health checks for 10,000 Leipzigers between the ages of 20 and 69. The study participants will be randomly selected via the registration register. Participation in the study is voluntary.