Genetic risk marker for schizophrenia identified:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
An international research team has identified a major risk gene for schizophrenia after finding a highly significant association between two genetic markers on both sides of the neuregulin-1 gene and the development of the disease. The gene, which is located on chromosome 8, codes for brain growth factors, which are involved in the development of glial cells, memory function, motor neurones and cancer, reports Hans Moises of the University of Kiel, Germany. Some 2.5 million are affected by schizophrenia in the US alone.