Genetic study provides first-ever insight into biological origin of schizophrenia

Landmark analysis reveals excessive “pruning” of connections between neurons in brain predisposes to schizophrenia

Cambridge, Mass. January 26th, 2016 — A landmark study, based on genetic analysis of nearly 65,000 people, has revealed that a person’s risk of schizophrenia is increased if they inherit specific variants in a gene related to “synaptic pruning” — the elimination of connections between neurons. The findings represent the first time that the origin of this devastating psychiatric disease has been causally linked to specific gene variants and a biological process. They also help explain decades-old observations: synaptic pruning is particularly active during adolescence, which is the typical period of onset for schizophrenia symptoms, and brains of schizophrenic patients tend to show fewer connections between neurons. The gene, called complement component 4 (C4), plays a well-known role in the immune system but has now been shown to also play a key role in brain development and schizophrenia risk. The insight may allow future therapeutic strategies to be directed at the disorder’s roots, rather than just its symptoms.


Here is the article that summarizes the findings.
http://www.broadinstitute.org/news/7823

Here is a link for those interested.

This pruning which thins out the cerebral cortex makes me wonder if I have schizophrenia. I have absolutely no cognitive decline. Maybe my new psychiatrist is right in saying I have BiPolar1, because she and my therapist's conclusion is that I'm so high functioning, whereas people with schizophrenia have a cognitive decline due to this pruning by the C4, which thins out one's cerebral cortex. My next talk with my psychiatrist will be interesting.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by 0dysseus

This pruning which thins out the cerebral cortex makes me wonder if I have schizophrenia. I have absolutely no cognitive decline. Maybe my new psychiatrist is right in saying I have BiPolar1, because she and my therapist's conclusion is that I'm so high functioning, whereas people with schizophrenia have a cognitive decline due to this pruning by the C4, which thins out one's cerebral cortex. My next talk with my psychiatrist will be interesting.

There is more than one way to get sz...pruning has been hypothesized to be a part of why people usually have onset in their teens....because that's when pruning naturally occurs. But you can still get sz past your teens....so there is more than one mechanism....also the genetics for sz and bipolar are highly overlapping....some don't think we can make a clear distinction between the two.

[Sometimes psychotic]

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal...ture16549.html

Here is the full article for those with access....