title: Nuts and bolts of psychiatric genetics: building on the Human Genome Project.
abstract: Schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder are chronic, disabling illnesses that together affect 2% of the population. Genetic factors are known to be important in their development, but there are, as yet, no confirmed susceptibility genes. Here we discuss important issues in terms of alternative genetic strategies (linkage, association and/or cytogenetics) in the identification of candidate genes for the major psychoses. We discuss the impact of the Human Genome Project, the role of comparative genetics in finding and testing positional candidates, and the prospects for rational drug design and personalized medicine.
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Section, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, UK EH4 2XU. Kathy.Evans@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Blackwood
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Porteous
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree