Understanding the genetics of behavioural and psychiatric traits will only be achieved through a realistic assessment of their complexity.
Francks et al. (2007) performed a recent study in which the first putative genetic effect on human handedness was identified (the imprinted locus LRRTM1 on human chromosome 2). In this issue of Laterality, Tim Crow and colleagues present a critique of that study. The present paper presents a personal response to that critique which argues that Francks et al. (2007) published a substantial body of evidence implicating LRRTM1 in handedness and schizophrenia. Progress will now be achieved by others trying to validate, refute, or extend those findings, rather than by further armchair discussion.
Francks
Clyde
C
University of Oxford, UK. clyde@well.ox.ac.uk
D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002889:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 2 / Q000235:genetics; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000235:genetics*; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics*; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D018392:Genomic Imprinting / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000091363:Protocadherins; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics*
D015820:Cadherins; C526971:LRRTM1 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C404498:PCDH11X protein, human; C468654:PCDH11Y protein, human; D000091363:Protocadherins