Scientists have found gene mutations that cause schizophrenia.
The scientists of Langone medical center at new York University discovered genes, mutation of which is explained previously unknown status of patients with schizophrenia.
“Different manifestations of schizophrenia, often trying to unify and bring under the scope of a single disease,” says study leader Dolores Malaspina. — Our study gives answers from the point of view of biology on a long-existing question, why have several people with the same diagnosis, the disease can manifest itself in different ways. In addition, we have developed our own scientific method, which improves the retrieval of dominant genes in complex diseases from schizophrenia to autism”.
For research scientific group invited 48 people from different countries diagnosed with schizophrenia and their parents who do not have the disease. Studying a different set of symptoms, scientists have found that brain function was disturbed rare or previously unknown mutations of the four genes.
The PTPRG gene changes affect the early development of severe forms of psychosis. Despite the relatively high level of intelligence, patients experience the problem of lack of working memory that stores actual information. Another gene, SLC39SA13, reduces the ability to acquire knowledge and experience reduces the range of emotions.
Gene ARMS / KIDINS220 encodes a protein that regulates the growth of nerve cells. Patients in whom was discovered a mutation of this gene were more prone to degeneration.
The change in the fourth TGM5 gene cause Huntington’s disease, a symptom of which is uncontrollable movements.
