Researchers Have Identified a Gene Associated With Susceptibility to Schizophrenia

26-Aug-2004

Evanston. A report titled "Polymorphisms in the Trace Amine Receptor 4 (TRAR4) Gene on Chromosome 6q23.2 are Associated with Susceptibility to schizophrenia," was published online this week in the American Journal of Human genetics. The study tested 827 individuals from 192 families and presents findings that indicate a trace amine receptor gene in the chromosome 6 may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Researchers believe their work could result in opportunities for better pharmacology and ultimately prevention.

Schizophrenia is a frequently chronic and devastating brain disorder that affects 1% of the population worldwide. The disease usually presents in adolescence or young adulthood, is characterized by major disruptions of thinking, perception, mood and behavior, and tends to cluster in families.

The origins of schizophrenia are hypothesized to involve both genetic and environmental factors. Previous work by the same group of investigators identified a region in the long arm of the chromosome 6 that is considered very likely to harbor a susceptibility gene for the schizophrenia, and this region spans the genes that code for the trace amine receptors. Trace amines are endogenous amine compounds chemically similar to classical biogenic amines that bind amphetamine, MDMA ("ecstasy"), and LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) with high affinity suggesting a direct link with mechanisms of psychosis. The administration of amphetamine can induce a schizophrenia-like psychosis. Furthermore, psychedelic experiences can have remarkable similarity to schizophrenia.

Group leader of the study Pablo V. Gejman, M.D. at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and Northwestern University, explains, "We are very encouraged by finding that a trace amine receptor gene is involved with an increased susceptibility to schizophrenia in a set of three clinical samples; making this the first study that shows the association. The molecular dissection of schizophrenia only began in earnest several years ago and we are making tremendous strides because of the new technology and a comprehensive knowledge of the human genome. Currently, there is no cure for this disease which devastates so much of the population along with their families. We are hopeful that undergoing replication efforts with other clinical samples with familial schizophrenia will yield evidence supporting our findings."

The work was conducted under the direction of Dr. Gejman by two of his associates, Dr. Jubao Duan and Dr. Alan Sanders, and an investigator from INSERM in Paris, Dr. Maria Martinez. To view the abstract of the paper visit the American Journal of Human Genetics. Click on "Browse the latest articles" and scroll down to August 2004.

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/39291/researchers-have-identified-a-gene-associated-with-susceptibility-to-schizophrenia.html