Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:11:5
David Goodhue - AHN Reporter
Washington, DC (AHN) - Three new studies funded by the National Institute of Mental Health suggests bipolar disease and schizophrenia may come from the same array of genetic variation.
All three studies cite an area of the chromosome 6, "which is known to harbor genes involved in immunity and controlling how and when genes turn on and off," according to a press release for the studies. The findings could help explain how environmental factors impact the risk of developing schizophrenia.
For example, the researchers say children born to mothers with the flu while pregnant have a higher risk of developing the disorder.
"These new results recommend a fresh look at our diagnostic categories," Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the NIMH, said in a statement. "If some of the same genetic risks underlie schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, perhaps these disorders originate from some common vulnerability in brain development."
A report on the studies was published in the July 1 edition of the journal Nature.
Article © AHN - All Rights Reserved