Werner syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of considerable biomedical interest because patients exhibit an accelerated development of several major disorders commonly found in older individuals. These include atherosclerosis, cancer, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus and ocular cataracts. The elucidation of its pathogenesis may also provide a better and understanding of aspects of the biology of aging. The International Registry of Werner Syndrome provides a central repository for data and materials in order to advance the progress of research and education relevant to this disorder.

The Registry is located in the Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington and is directed by Drs. George M. Martin and Junko Oshima M.D., Ph.D.