Schizophrenia, a Combination of Genes?

A few days ago, we were telling you about the researches conducted by a little bit eccentric doctor, who said that cat excrements are linked to schizophrenia, but a team of Scottish researchers has identified a new gene, which together with a previously discovered one, seem to be responsible for schizophrenia and depression.

Scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with researchers from the pharmaceutical company Merck, Sharp & Dohme Limited, announced the discovery of the second gene, phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B). They hope these findings could lead to the eventual development of new drugs to treat mental health problems.

In 2000, researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a gene they called 'Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1' (DISC1), which was found to increase the chances of people developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression) and major clinical depression.

Now, they've revealed that damage to the gene PDE4B is also seen to increase the risk of developing mental illness.

PDE4B was already known to play an important role in how the brain thinks and builds memories, but had not previously been linked to mental disorder.

In addition, researchers have discovered that DISC1 acts as a regulator for PDE4B, creating a 'pathway' between the two genes.

"This is another important breakthrough in our still limited understanding of major mental illness. It is the result of a long term research commitment to use the tools of genetics to better understand the root causes of mental disorder", said Professor David Porteous at the University of Edinburgh.