An international team of scientists has identified a mutation on human chromosome 16 that dramatically raises risk for schizophrenia.
The mutation in question is what scientists call a copy number variant (CNV). CNVs are areas of the genome where the number of copies of genes differs between individuals. The CNV is located in a region referred to by scientists as 16p11.2.
About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior and social problems.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior and social problems.
The mutation identified in this study is a potent risk factor.
"In the general population this duplication is quite rare, occurring in roughly one in 5,000 persons but for people that carry the extra copy, the risk of developing schizophrenia is increased by more than eight-fold," says Sebat.
Research Provides Fascinating Insight Into Molecular Mechanisms That Link Schizophrenia Gene
Scientists now have a better understanding of a perplexing gene that is associated with susceptibility for a wide spectrum of severely debilitating mental illnesses.
Scientists now have a better understanding of a perplexing gene that is associated with susceptibility for a wide spectrum of severely debilitating mental illnesses.
The study appears online today ahead of print in the journal Nature Genetics.
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Study Says Epilepsy Drug Could Raise Schizophrenia Risk
Antiepilectic drug treatments given during brain development could trigger schizophrenia-like behaviour,researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found.
Antiepilectic drug treatments given during brain development could trigger schizophrenia-like behaviour,researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found.
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