Posted with permission of the List Administrator The medical researchers have requested our assistance in identifying possible subjects for this very important study. They have isolated the defective receptor gene and identified it as coming from one of our ancestors. The result of this discovery and the outcome of the research have far reaching and benficial implications for future generations of French Canadians/Acadians. The French Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut is committed to helping them with their research and will utilize all of its resources in the quest to identify the original carrier. If at all possible, please consider becoming a part of this study. Thanks much and your grandchildren thank you..... Bernadette D. Meunier French Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut www.fcgsc.org For immediate posting on The French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut Web Site www.fcgsc.org Contact: Paul D. Thompson, M. D. Director, Preventive Cardiology & Cholesterol Management Center Hartford Hospital 1-800-697-9155 High cholesterol levels: The French-Canadian Connection Many French-Canadians carry the defective gene for the "LDL cholesterol receptor," giving them a greater chance of developing heart disease. In the usual American population, one-in-500 people carry a defective LDL receptor gene and have very high cholesterol levels, but one-in-50 French-Canadians carries the defective gene. This is because one of the first 8,000 settlers of Quebec Province carried a defective gene for the LDL cholesterol receptor. The LDL cholesterol receptor sits on the surface of the liver and clears the bad or LDL cholesterol from the blood. The defect in this receptor prevents the liver from lowering the blood cholesterol level. Also, because cholesterol does not enter the liver as easily, patients with the defective LDL receptor gene overproduce cholesterol. A combination of overproduction and under clearance produces remarkably higher cholesterol levels in many French-Canadians. The Section of Preventive Cardiology at Hartford Hospital is studying a new cholesterol lowering medication in patients with defective LDL receptors. The study will compare Lipitor alone, one of the most powerful cholesterol-lowering drugs, with the combination of Lipitor plus a new medication which decreases the LDL cholesterol modestly, but increases HDL, or the good cholesterol level, much more than Lipitor. This new medication is not available except in this study. The goal of the study is to see if the combination of drugs is better than Lipitor alone at cleaning cholesterol out of the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are located in the neck and the cholesterol thickness of these arteries can be easily visualized with a probe placed on the skin. All patients enrolled in the study will be treated with a cholesterol lowering medication, either Lipitor alone or the combination of Lipitor and the new medication. Participants in the study will receive free medical checkups, carotid artery imaging, blood work, electrocardiograms, dietary counseling, and a payment for their time and effort. Interested patients and then family members with high cholesterol levels can learn about the study by calling the cardiac nurses running this study, Brenda Foxen at 1-800-697-9155 or (860) 545-1792, or Marilyn Siwy (860) 545-1794. Please give serious consideration to participating in this study. Lowering your cholesterol level may benefit you, your family members, and others of French-Canadian descent.