Schizophrenics Carry More Mutations than Their Parents

In a new scientific research, investigators determined that schizophrenic patients tend to exhibit a much higher rate of de novo mutations than their parents. These are mutations that occur in these patients exclusively, and cannot be traced in their parents too.

The frequency of these genetic errors made researchers wonder as to whether a connection may exist between their number and a person's chance or likelihood of developing the dreaded mental disorder.

The international group of scientists that conducted this investigation was led by Dr. Guy A. Rouleau. He holds an appointment at the University of Montreal, in Canada, and CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital.

Using the new data, experts hope to become able to determine which of the mutations trigger the disease, if this is indeed the case. Ultimately, this line of study may lead to the development of a new series of treatments against the condition, and maybe even against other similar diseases.

Details of the new research effort appear in the July 10 issue of the top scientific journal Nature Genetics. Dr. Rouleau, who is also the director of the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, is the author of the research paper.

“The occurrence of de novo mutations, as observed in this study, may in part explain the high worldwide incidence of schizophrenia,” says the expert, who holds an appointment as a research scientist at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center.

“Because the mutations are located in many different genes, we can now start to establish genetic networks that would define how these gene mutations predispose to schizophrenia,” Montreal student and team member Simon Girard explains.

“Most of the genes identified in this study have not been previously linked to schizophrenia, thereby providing new potential therapeutic targets,” he goes on to say, quoted by Science Blog.

This line of work could literally help a lot of people, since official statistics from the World Health Organization indicate that as many as 24 million people around the world suffer from schizophrenia.

Additionally, the same documents estimate that as many as 12 million of these individuals may not be diagnosed or treated for their condition. “Our results not only open the door to a better understanding of schizophrenia,” Dr. Rouleau says.

“They also give us valuable information about the molecular mechanisms involved in human brain development and function,” the team leader concludes.