Elucidating the Genetic Basis of Chiari I Malformation.

Several studies have been performed to elucidate the genetic basis of Chiari I malformation (CM1). The heritability of CM1 is clear from twin studies, familial clustering, and the prevalence of CM1 among certain classes of Mendelian disorders, namely connective tissue disorders, brain overgrowth disorders, disorders of CSF homeostasis, certain tumors, disorders of skull development and vascular conditions. A comprehensive understanding of the causes of CM1 will require large cohorts of patients for genetic studies and in-depth phenotyping of cases to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying disease.