Schizophrenia as Misstep by Giant Gene

Researchers have made progress in understanding how a variant Gene linked to schizophrenia may exert its influence in the brain.

The findings are tentative but, if confirmed, could yield deep insights into the biological basis of the disease.

         The gene, called neuregulin-1, was first implicated in schizophrenia in 2002 by DeCode Genetics, a Reykjavik company that looks for the genetic roots of common diseases in the Icelandic population.

The researchers found that people who inherited two versions of the variant segment, one from each parent, were producing 50 percent more of neuregulin's Type 4 protein than those who inherited one or no copies.

The role of neuregulin's Type 4 proteins is unknown, but they may be involved in making neurons migrate, a property of great importance when the brain is being constructed.

Original Article