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NHANES III Stored Biologic Specimens

NHANES III DNA Specimens
NHANES Stored Biologic Specimens

Background
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of periodic surveys conducted by NCHS. Examination surveys conducted since 1960 by NCHS have provided national estimates of health and nutritional status of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. The third NHANES, NHANES III, began in the Fall of 1998 and ended in the Fall of 1994. The survey data collected can be analyzed in two phases: Phase I was conducted from October 1988 to October 1999, and Phase 2 was conducted from October 1991 to October 1994. Both Phases are nationally representative samples. For details of the sampling design see the Plan and Operation of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-94 (20 MB pdf file).

DNA Samples
Blood specimens were collected from participants as a part of NHANES III. Lymphocytes were isolated from the blood collected from participants aged 12 years and older and stored frozen in liquid nitrogen or as cell cultures immortalized with Epstein-Barr virus. Cell cultures are available primarily from Phase 2 of the survey. Frozen white cells are available from Phase 2 and some Phase 1 subjects.

Though an extensive consent form was signed by participants in the survey, specific mention of genetic testing was not included. Given the scientific importance of this resource, a proposal to develop a plan to make DNA available to the research community for anonymized testing was presented to and approved by the NHANES Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the September 16, 1996 meeting.

Proposals are being solicited for use of the NHANES III anonymized DNA specimens. All interested researchers are encouraged to submit proposals. For more information

Serum Specimens
As part of the operation of NHANES III, blood was collected from participating sample persons. This blood was separated into its components and sent to the NHANES III laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta or to one of the eight contract laboratories. Because of the possibility of out-of-range results that need to be repeated, more specimen volume was sent than was usually needed for the biochemical tests. Since most sampled individuals do not have out-of-range results, there are large numbers of surplus serum specimens.  All specimens have been stored at -70 degrees and have been through at least two freeze-thaw cycles. Specimens are stored at two different locations due to logistics. These specimens have been thawed once for aliquoting and have been kept at -70 degrees. Requests can be made for these specimens, but the need for non-surplus specimens needs to be justified in the proposal.

Proposals are being solicited for use of the NHANES III and anonymized DNA specimens.   All interested researchers are encouraged to submit proposals.

Fall 2001

Thank you for your interest in the NHANES III DNA Repository. Having completed our review of the first round of applications for samples from the repository, we are now in the process of evaluating our protocol in the light of a number of issues raised by this experience. Our ultimate goal is to allow reasonable access to the samples for important scientific studies while assuring participant confidentiality and compliance with appropriate ethical standards. We have decided to discontinue further review of applications while we are revising our protocol. If our revised protocol is approved by the NHANES Institutional Review Board, we will place an announcement on our Web site.

 

This page last reviewed May 24, 2004

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Health Statistics
Hyattsville, MD
20782

(301) 458-4000