Study sheds new light on genetics of schizophrenia

Washington, Mar 20 (ANI): A new study, conducted by researchers at University of Edinburgh, has shed new light on the genetics of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The researchers found that a gene called DISC1 - known to play a role in the development of mental illness - may control the way some patients respond to psychiatric medication.

They also identified seven proteins that are important to the development of mental illness and hope the research could help to create new medicines that target these proteins.

The research was based on existing data from the Human Genome Project, a pioneering study, which mapped all the genes in human DNA.

The team analysed variations of the DISC1 gene and found that it affects a number of other genes that current medications are designed to target.

They believe that by identifying those patients in whom DISC1 may be a root cause of illness, they could find the patients for whom these drugs would be most effective.

"We know that disorders such as schizophrenia have a genetic element and that this specific gene, DISC1, is important to that process. This research helps us to understand exactly how it affects brain development and provides clues about how to solve problems when that process goes wrong," Dr. William Hennah, who led the project at The University of Edinburgh and is now based at the Finland Institute for Molecular Medicine, said.

The results are published in the Public Library of Science One. (ANI)