Basic Epidemiology
General objectives
This program oncludes research in the fields of genetic epidemiology, endocrinologic epidemiology and developmental epidemiology. Genetic epidemiologic research aims at quantifying the population risk of disorders associated with genetic risk factors and at identifying new genetic factors involved in complex genetic disorders. The work in endocrinologic epidemiology focuses on the question wether circulating hormone levels are associated with incident diseases of the elderly and with parameters of frailty. The emphasis is on determinants of locomotor diseases (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis) and on sex hormones and thyroid hormones as determinants of disease. Research in developmental epidemiology focuses on in-utero and early life determinants of diseases. It comprises work in reproductive epidemiology, and it is largely based on the Generation R cohort study.
Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease, endocrinologic epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, Parkinson’s disease, pediatric epidemiology, osteoporosis, osteoarthrosis.
Main participants:
Cornelia van Duijn
Vincent Jaddoe
Huib Pols
Regine Steegers-Theunissen