Collaborative strategies in the molecular genetics of the major psychoses
Article Abstract:
Most researchers now agree that there is a genetic component to both manic depressive psychosis and schizophrenia. Debates about the mode of genetic transmission have focused on whether or not it is dependent upon the action of several genes (polygenic) or whether one major gene determines each disease. Recent advances in molecular biology have renewed hope for the discovery of specific disease-related genes through linkage analysis - a research strategy which evaluates the tendency of genetic variations (alleles) to be inherited with a disease. Since two alleles close together on a chromosome are more likely to be inherited together than two alleles set further apart, the tendency for a particular marker allele to predict the inheritance of a disease suggests that the disease and marker lie close together on the same chromosome. If linkage between a disease and a marker gene becomes well established, then that linkage will come to define a specific genetic disorder. However, results of linkage studies have not been consistent or easy to replicate or interpret. In 1987, recognition of the need for a systematic research approach led to the setting up of an international network of the molecular neurobiology of mental disease. Seventeen countries participated, and in 1990, a five-year research program was launched. Its goals are to identify large numbers of families affected with manic depressive and schizophrenic disorders, standardize methods of diagnosis and classification, create a data bank, agree on ethical issues and research standards, and distribute blood samples to laboratories for linkage studies. Once linkage has been established, it is hoped that predicting disease susceptibility and developing rational therapies for schizophrenia and manic depressive psychosis will be feasible. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: British Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0007-1250
Year: 1991
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The search for the psychosis gene
Article Abstract:
Since psychosis occurs across widely differing social and climatic regions without great variation in incidence or type, it is thought to have a genetic link which is relatively independent of environmental factors. If so, then progress in our understanding of psychosis will only occur when a ''psychosis gene'' is found. A commonly used genetic research strategy is linkage analysis. Linkage refers to the tendency of alleles (genetic variations) to be inherited together. Two alleles placed closely together on a chromosome are more likely to be inherited together than are two alleles which are set further apart. This knowledge allows genetic variations to serve as linked markers for other genes when their existence and location have been tagged. Once the linkage between a disease and a marker locus becomes well established, the linkage defines specific genetic disorders that can be mapped to a well understood region of the human chromosome. This information can then be used to predict disease susceptibility. Another research approach is to use what knowledge we have about the disease process to identify a possible or candidate gene. Both strategies should proceed in parallel. Recent diagnostic advances have led to the emergence of a candidate gene which determines brain symmetry (brain changes in schizophrenia and related psychoses have been shown to be asymmetrical). It is hoped that linkage strategies in concert with continuing work in identifying candidate genes will eventually provide clues to the location of a psychosis gene. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: British Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0007-1250
Year: 1991
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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