Gene variations add complexity to Schizophrenia
POSTED July 2, 2009 - 13:51 | POSTED BY Jyoti Pal
Last edited by Priya Markanda on July 2, 2009 - 16:01
The scientists also found that the condition of schizophrenia is genetically comparable to bipolar disorder (BPD), also known as manic depression.
Biggest study ever
The findings have been drawn from the effort and subsequent publication of three separate studies, conducted by separate teams. All the three studies appeared in the July 1 issue of the journal 'Nature'.
Researchers looked at the genomes of more than 50,000 people. With the help of a method called genome-wide association, all the three study groups compared several thousand DNA samples from schizophrenics with several thousand samples of people who did not suffer from the same disease.
Thousands of common DNA variants turned up more often in people with schizophrenia, the studies found. Thus there is no single genetic cause of this disease. The condition is much more complex than previously thought as it can arise from common, as well as rare genetic variations.
No immediate practical benefit
Schizophrenia is like a gigantic jigsaw conundrum and researchers found some end pieces. Now it is up to future research to tie the loose ends.
The research, at best, gives valuable insight into the biology of the disease. This knowledge can be further enhanced and fine-tuned in the times to come.
Dr Pamela Sklar, of Massachusetts General Hospital said, "We fully expect that future work will assemble them into meaningful pathways that will teach us about the biology of schizophrenia."
Schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception or expression of reality, includes thinking disorders, psychosis, hallucinations and abnormal behaviors.
Till date, the medical science has not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of schizophrenia, but it is widely accepted that 90 percent of the cases have a genetic basis.
