Friday, March 28, 2008

Study Hints of Gene Link to Risk of Schizophrenia

A new study has found that rare and previously undetectable genetic variations may significantly increase the risk that a person will develop schizophrenia.

Experts said the study, while not identifying the cause of the disorder, provided a striking demonstration of how new gene-scanning technology can open a new frontier in the quest to understand the biology of mental disorders.

Until now, researchers had focused on finding common and known genetic variations that, when acting in some combination, might increase the risk for schizophrenia. They have had little success. The new analysis, being published Friday in the journal Science, detected extremely rare and unknown mutations that turned up three to four times as often in people with schizophrenia as in those without it.

The findings point scientists to previously unappreciated developmental problems that may help them develop more effective treatments, experts said.

READ MORE @ NY TIMES