A 400-Year Legacy: How One New Mexico Family Helped Uncover a Genetic Link to CCM
The story of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) in New Mexico begins centuries ago — with early settlers Cristobal Baca and Ana Ortiz, who arrived in Northern New Mexico around 1600. Generations later, genealogists discovered that this founding family likely carried the CCM1 Common Hispanic Mutation, now found in thousands of descendants across the Southwest.
One of those descendants, Joyce Gonzales, began tracing her family roots after being diagnosed with CCM herself. Working alongside genealogist Henrietta Martinez Christmas, Gonzales helped identify the Baca family line as the probable origin of the inherited mutation. Their research, combined with ongoing studies at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, has brought clarity — and hope — to families once left searching for answers.
Today, UNM’s Center of Excellence for CCM continues that legacy, offering screenings, research opportunities, and a yearly family conference to connect and empower those affected. The story of CCM in New Mexico is more than medical history — it’s a story of resilience, family, and discovery stretching back more than four centuries.
