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Researchers are taking a big step in deciphering schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disease with dangerous side effects. The disease triggers, for example, disorders in the field of perception and thinking. Scientists have long sought biological roots in schizophrenia. Their discovery could in the future lead to ways to treat or even completely prevent the disease.
When people suffer from schizophrenia, they are often unable to live a normal life. The causes of the disease are still unknown, but American researchers have now attempted to identify the biological root of the disease in a study to better treat or completely defeat schizophrenia. The results of their study published the scientists in the journal "Nature".
The cause of schizophrenia may be in the genes. (Image: lassedesignen / fotolia.com) Cause for schizophrenia found?
Researchers worldwide have been looking for a long time for the causes of schizophrenia. US scientists have now analyzed the genetics of laboratory mice. The experimental animals were taken brain tissue during an autopsy and examined. The results could revolutionize the treatment of the disease, say the doctors. The findings will improve understanding of the disease and provide ways to treat and prevent it, said Bruce Cuthbert, Acting Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Almost one percent of the general population develops schizophrenia in life. Affected then hear voices or hallucinating, talk about strange ideas and believe others could read their minds. The causes of the disease were previously unclear, the scientists explain.
Researchers discover "risk gene"
Current study results associate schizophrenia risk with a normal process that begins in early adulthood. At this age, first symptoms of the disease often appear. In the said period, the human brain begins to reduce the number of our synapses. The new study suggests that there seems to be a link to schizophrenia if this process gets out of hand and too many synapses are erased, says Steven McCarroll of Harvard Medical School. The process is similar to a gardener who wants to cut back the shrubs, but then far too much cuts away. The result does not mean that this circumcision alone causes schizophrenia. However, connecting to other factors in our brain could promote the disease, explains McCarroll. The study started with a genetic examination. Previous analysis of human DNA showed more than a hundred sites that affect the risk of schizophrenia. However, detailed biological explanations are very rare for these influences, explain the researchers. However, the new study identifies a kind of "risk gene". In addition, the physicians found evidence that support their connection theory.
Gen C4 increases schizophrenia risk by about 30 percent
The study examined the DNA data of 28,799 people with schizophrenia and 35,986 people without a disease. The researchers discovered that a gene called C4 can increase the risk of schizophrenia in a person by about 30 percent. The gene occurs in various forms. The researchers studied the brain tissue and found evidence that the forms that pose the greatest risk of schizophrenia are also the most active forms in the human brain. The scientists also noted that the gene plays a key role in circumcision of the synapses. Although the study did not directly demonstrate that excessive truncation of synapses plays a role in the development of schizophrenia, the idea is conclusive, McCarroll said.
Result should be used to develop drugs
Earlier observations have shown that schizophrenia develops mostly in adolescence. The brains of affected patients often show unusually few synapses, explains the physician. If the current results are correct, scientists can search for medicines that could intervene, McCarroll continued. Such medicines could be used, for example, when young people show the first symptoms of schizophrenia, but such treatment options are years away from research, the physician points out. (As)