Thursday, August 1, 2024

Scientists Map Networks Regulating Gene Function in the Human Brain

     The article “Scientists Map Networks Regulating Gene Function in the Human Brain” shows the most multidimensional maps of gene regulation networks in the human brain. The maps have revealed that genetic variants and regulatory elements interact in order to influence the brain functions across different developmental stages in multiple types of mental disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression. The study uses postmortem brain tissue from over 2,500 donors, providing insights into the biological pathways and cellular functions involved in these conditions. The data provided from the study showed scientists the particular pinpoints of genetic variants that may play a causal role in mental health and issues, which would provide new therapeutic targets. The research, part of the PsychENCODE Consortium, produced findings that were published in multiple scientific journals. It provided the identification of regulatory networks at the cellular level, single-cell maps of the prefrontal cortex, and experimental validation of genetic variants. This new tool has provided the importance and highlighted the importance of regulatory pathways, introducing new methods and ideas for visualization platforms for the brain. Lastly, this study and the findings of understanding gene regulation and how it impacts on the brain and the function and dysfunction of finding new treatments. 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, November 29). Researchers map the genetic landscape of schizophrenia in the brain. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2022/researchers-map-the-genetic-landscape-of-schizophrenia-in-the-brain 


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