Schizophrenia susceptibility genes: in search of a molecular logic and novel drug targets for a devastating disorder.
Schizophrenia is a devastating psychiatric disorder that affects approximately one percent of the population worldwide. We argue that the efforts to decipher the genetic causes of schizophrenia have reached another turning point and describe evidence supporting some of the major recent genetic findings in the field. In addition, we identify some general areas of caution in the interpretation of these findings and addresses the promise this recently acquired knowledge holds for the generation of reliable animal models, characterization of genetic interactions, dissection of the disease pathophysiology and development of novel, mechanism-based treatments for the patients.
Gogos
Joseph A
JA
Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015195:Drug Design; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins