The European Atherosclerosis Research Study (EARS): Design and Objectives

Abstract

The European Atherosclerosis Research Study—EARS—is a multicentre collaborative project sponsored by the European Community. Its main objective is to study, in young people, the biological expression of a patemal history of premature acute myocardlal infarction (AMI) and the relative share of heredity and environment in this expression. In 14 centres in 11 European countries, the offspring of fathers who suffered from a documented AMI before the age of 55 years (cases) are compared with age- and sex-matched control individuals. Genetic variables (restriction fragment length polyetorphlsms of candidate genes), lifestyle variables and biochemical variables that are known or suspected to play a role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), are studied. The cultural and ethnic diversity within Europe allows a thorough investigation of the relative importance and the potential interactions of genetics and environment in the pathogenesis of CHD. A standardized core methodology and centralized storage of blood samples with particular types of analyses systematically carried out in one or a few specialized laboratories, form a strong basis for valid cross-cultural analyses. The results of this study will offer new dues for the modelling of individual risk for developing CHD.