The research group led by Prof. Alex Schier, Director of the University of Basel’s Biozentrum, has identified 30 genes associated with schizophrenia.
The team was able to show which pathological changes in the brain and behavioral abnormalities are triggered by these genes. The results of the study have now been published inĀ Cell.
The research team led by Prof. Alex Schier, Director of the Biozentrum, University of Basel, and currently group leader at Harvard University in Cambridge, investigated a total of 132 genes associated with schizophrenia. The potential connection to schizophrenia was confirmed for 30 genes. In zebrafish, the researchers found that errors in these genes impair the development or function of the brain and lead to behavioral abnormalities.
Regions in the genome under suspicion
Schizophrenia is a psychosis that leads to a disturbed perception of reality. This includes hearing voices, hallucinations or delusions. Although the disease can be treated with medication, it is currently incurable. Genetic changes that manifest themselves in the brain can cause schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown that several regions of the genome containing a variety of genes are associated with the disease.
Perpetrator profile of 30 genes
Alex Schier’s team has now identified 30 genes in these regions and has been able to show that they have concrete effects on the structure and function of the brain as well as on various behavioral patterns. “Of the 132 suspects, we were ultimately able to establish a more precise perpetrator profile for 30 genes,” said Schier. “One of the perpetrators is the transcription factor znf536, which controls the development of the forebrain. This brain region influences our social behavior and the processing of stress.” The research team not only deciphered the function of the individual genes, but also generated an atlas of all genes with their respective consequences for the brain.
In the crosshair of research
“The question of how the individual genes trigger schizophrenia remains open,” says Schier. “It would be possible to investigate whether the genes we identified change similar brain regions in patients as in zebrafish.” These genes and brain regions could then become new targets for drug therapies.
Learn more: Crime scene schizophrenia — 30 genes under suspicion
The Latest on: Schizophrenia
[google_news title=”” keyword=”schizophrenia” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Schizophrenia
- Union City man with schizophrenia goes missing day after birthdayon April 27, 2024 at 2:19 pm
UNION CITY, Ga. - A Union City man diagnosed with schizophrenia was reported missing just a day after his 41st birthday. A Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly ...
- Freedom no therapy in schizophrenia’s black holeon April 26, 2024 at 4:29 pm
On an unseasonably warm late April night, candles flicker in the dark on the grassy slopes that frame Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Hundreds of locals sit quietly on the ground, many weeping, still ...
- Treatment Patch For Schizophrenia: Newly Listed Alto Neuroscience Is Uniquely Positioned In Neuropsychiatry Landscapeon April 23, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Alto Neuroscience reported positive results for its novel PDE4 inhibitor in a Phase 1 study for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia.
- Breathtaking News for Depression and Schizophreniaon April 23, 2024 at 8:19 am
As long as there's breath in our lungs our story is still being written.” –Bart Millard Two chemicals from breath samples, butyrate and trimethylamine, are sufficient to distinguish depression and ...
- Physical Ills Often Plague People With Schizophrenia, Bipolaron April 23, 2024 at 5:18 am
Estimates show people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are 2.4 times more likely than mentally healthy people to have two or more physical ailments, researchers found. The chronic disease burden ...
- Schizophrenia Prodromeon April 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm
About 75% of people with schizophrenia go through a prodrome phase. It may last a few weeks, but for some people, these signs slowly worsen over several years. You may notice changes in yourself ...
- Having a Cat Can Double Your Chances of Developing Schizophrenia, New Study Sayson April 16, 2024 at 4:06 pm
In a new study, scientists found that those who owned cats before age 25 were about twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.
- What Are The Possible Complications Of Schizophrenia? A Review By Doctorson April 16, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Expert opinion from Ilya Aleksandrovskiy M.D., MBA · 5 years of experience · USA Schizophrenic patients either exhibit substance abuse or develop schizophrenia due to it. Therefore, substance abuse is ...
- Parents of Sydney mall killer Joel Cauchi say he was off his schizophrenia medication: ‘He let himself down’on April 15, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Sydney shopping mall killer Joel Cauchi’s father said his son was a “beautiful” boy, who “let himself down” when he went off his medication.
- New Study Finds Support for Strange Connection Between Cat Ownership and Schizophreniaon April 14, 2024 at 7:00 am
An odd and long-posited connection between cat ownership and schizophrenia symptoms just got a boost from the scientific community. Research published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin journal examined ...
via Bing News