856 lines
64 KiB
Text
856 lines
64 KiB
Text
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" data-nid="8008">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<meta name="description" content="Versions of a gene linked to schizophrenia may trigger runaway pruning of the teenage brain’s still-maturing communications infrastructure.The gene switched on more in people with the suspect versions, who faced a higher risk of developing the disorder." />
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2016/schizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed" />
|
||
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)" />
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Schizophrenia’s Strongest Known Genetic Risk Deconstructed" />
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="Versions of a gene linked to schizophrenia may trigger runaway pruning of the teenage brain’s still-maturing communications infrastructure.The gene switched on more in people with the suspect versions, who faced a higher risk of developing the disorder." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Versions of a gene linked to schizophrenia may trigger runaway pruning of the teenage brain’s still-maturing communications infrastructure.The gene switched on more in people with the suspect versions, who faced a higher risk of developing the disorder." />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Schizophrenia’s Strongest Known Genetic Risk Deconstructed" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:site" content="@nimhgov" />
|
||
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="lKfmfhtNgohd8-snRwpaLWOcbbkS_saLoN9IUJKBvUM" />
|
||
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
|
||
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
|
||
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
|
||
<script>
|
||
var mainDomain = document.location.hostname.match(/(([^.\/]+\.[^.\/]{2,3}\.[^.\/]{2})|(([^.\/]+\.)[^.\/]{2,4}([^.\/]+\.)[^.\/]{2,4}))(\/.*)?$/)[1];
|
||
try{dataLayer.push({'baseDomain': mainDomain.toLowerCase()});}
|
||
catch(err){ dataLayer = [{'baseDomain': mainDomain.toLowerCase()}];} (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':
|
||
new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
|
||
j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
|
||
'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
|
||
})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-T58NF4');
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>
|
||
window._monsido = window._monsido || {
|
||
token: "VsAIOc905Tjeazm18evt9w",
|
||
statistics: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
cookieLessTracking: true,
|
||
documentTracking: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
documentCls: "",
|
||
documentIgnoreCls: "",
|
||
documentExt: ["doc","docx","pdf","ppt","pptx","rtf","txt","xls","xlsx"],
|
||
},
|
||
},
|
||
heatmap: {
|
||
enabled: true,
|
||
},
|
||
};
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://app-script.monsido.com/v2/monsido-script.js" async></script>
|
||
<link rel="icon" href="/themes/nimhtheme/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
|
||
|
||
<title>Schizophrenia’s Strongest Known Genetic Risk Deconstructed - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)</title>
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_ZTsUHDjQheI_A-r3j4HasLaMAxDXgu8kk05RpTWGtEs.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJxNybsNwCAMBcCFIMxkwgMs-RPFbtg-ba49xWBqkyXxXjc9yW7FWHduKNoS7yQ18gjb-of7EtTpllHiREJbp8AH6ZgfHQ" />
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_hCFOd9odoQi9Sb_-X1tdJUsdnGzf9PI7mC1Uc81hfRY.css?delta=1&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJxNybsNwCAMBcCFIMxkwgMs-RPFbtg-ba49xWBqkyXxXjc9yW7FWHduKNoS7yQ18gjb-of7EtTpllHiREJbp8AH6ZgfHQ" />
|
||
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,700|Roboto:400,500|Petit+Formal+Script" />
|
||
|
||
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body>
|
||
<a href="#main-content" class="visually-hidden focusable">
|
||
Skip to main content
|
||
</a>
|
||
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-T58NF4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe>
|
||
</noscript>
|
||
|
||
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
|
||
<div class="layout-container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-governmentdomainbanner" class="block block-block-content block-block-content976fab65-59c7-46e1-bf9f-cf5178b680b4">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><section class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official website of the United States government"><div class="usa-accordion"><header class="usa-banner__header"><div class="usa-banner__inner"><div class="grid-col-auto"><img class="usa-banner__header-flag" aria-hidden="true" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/us_flag_small.png" alt></div><div class="grid-col-fill tablet:grid-col-auto" aria-hidden="true"><p class="usa-banner__header-text">An official website of the United States government</p><p class="usa-banner__header-action">Here’s how you know</p></div><p class="m-0 p-0"><button class="usa-accordion__button usa-banner__button" type="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner-default"><span class="usa-banner__button-text">Here’s how you know</span></button></p></div></header><div class="usa-banner__content usa-accordion__content" id="gov-banner-default" hidden><div class="grid-row grid-gap-lg"><div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"><p><img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/icon-dot-gov.svg" role="img" alt aria-hidden="true"></p><div class="usa-media-block__body"><p><strong>Official websites use .gov</strong><br>A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.</p></div></div><div class="usa-banner__guidance tablet:grid-col-6"><p><img class="usa-banner__icon usa-media-block__img" src="/themes/nimhtheme/uswds/images/icon-https.svg" role="img" alt aria-hidden="true"></p><div class="usa-media-block__body"><p><strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong><br>A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg class="usa-banner__lock-image" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-description-default" focusable="false"><title id="banner-lock-title-default">Lock</title> <desc id="banner-lock-description-default">Locked padlock icon</desc> <path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z" /></svg></span>) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.</p></div></div></div></div></div></section></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="header-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="header-container">
|
||
<header role="banner">
|
||
<div id="main-header-layout" >
|
||
<div id="block-sitebranding-2" class="block block-system block-system-branding-block">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<a href="/" title="NIMH Home" rel="home">
|
||
<img src="/themes/nimhtheme/nimh-logo.svg" alt="NIMH Logo" />
|
||
</a>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-incrisisstickybox" class="block block-block-content block-block-content34cda229-f96b-4500-8796-12d7fc307d77">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div id="nimh-in-crisis-callout"><a href="https://988lifeline.org/"><i class="fa-light fa-circle-exclamation" aria-hidden="true"></i> In Crisis? Call or Text 988 <i class="fa-regular fa-angles-right"></i></a></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-tagline" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentf3b653dc-7e5d-4582-8234-a93001424fde">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p id="tagline">Transforming the understanding
|
||
<br>
|
||
and treatment of mental illnesses.
|
||
</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-searchsite" class="block block-block-content block-block-content0946d2cf-ffcf-44fb-b65d-3057740945c0">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="m-0 text-small text-right d-none d-lg-block"><a href="/">Home</a> | <a href="/site-info/contact-nimh" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3b82dd34-6040-4763-a9ff-db0c3d5b6a38" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Contact Us</a> | <a href="/health/find-help" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="95a25c22-6bc4-4ac3-ad7b-d3aca76eaed0" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Help for Mental Illnesses</a></p><div class="mobile-helper-icons"><span class="hidden-md hidden-lg"><i class="fas fa-search search_icon"></i></span> <span class="menu_icon sb-toggle-right hidden-md hidden-lg"><i class="fas fa-bars"></i></span></div><form class="search-in-banner" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="/search-nimh" id="search_form" method="get" name="Search" role="search"><p class="mt-2 mb-1"><label for="query"><span class="hidden">Search the NIMH Website: </span></label><input class="searchbox usagov-search-autocomplete ui-autocomplete-input" aria-label="Search the NIMH website" autocomplete="off" id="query" name="query" placeholder="Search the NIMH website" type="text"> <input type="submit" value="Search"></p></form><div class="hidden-xs hidden-sm"><p class="small text-right m-0"><a href="/health/topics/espanol" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d6df42f3-6876-496e-918c-cc34cc7681f7" data-entity-substitution="canonical" lang="es">Información en español</a></p></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</header>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div> <div id="menu_horizontal" class="primary-menu-container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<nav id="block-nimhtheme-main-menu" role="navigation" aria-label="Main navigation" id="block-nimhtheme-main-menu">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<ul class="main-menu-content">
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" class="main-menu__health" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" class="main-menu__getinvolved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" class="main-menu__research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" class="main-menu__funding" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" class="main-menu__news" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" class="main-menu__about" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="megamenu_container">
|
||
<div id="health-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/topics">
|
||
<h2>Health Topics</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH offers expert-reviewed information on mental disorders and a range of topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/statistics">
|
||
<h2>Statistics</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/publications">
|
||
<h2>Brochures and Fact Sheets</h2>
|
||
<p>Download, read, and order free NIMH brochures and fact sheets about mental disorders and related topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/find-help">
|
||
<h2>Help for Mental Illnesses</h2>
|
||
<p>If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/health/trials">
|
||
<h2>Clinical Trials</h2>
|
||
<p>If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="getinvolved-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/public-involvement">
|
||
<h2>Stakeholder Engagement</h2>
|
||
<p>Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/connect-with-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Connect with NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about NIMH newsletters, public participation in grant reviews, research funding, clinical trials, the NIMH Gift Fund, and connecting with NIMH on social media. </p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/digital-shareables">
|
||
<h2>Digital Shareables</h2>
|
||
<p>Use these free education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health and related topics.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/science-education">
|
||
<h2>Science Education</h2>
|
||
<p>Use these free digital, outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/get-involved/events">
|
||
<h2>Upcoming Observances and Related Events</h2>
|
||
<p>Get Involved observances calendar</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="research-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Research Funded by NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH supports research at universities, medical centers, and other institutions via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Learn more about NIMH research areas, policies, resources, and initiatives.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Research Conducted at NIMH (Intramural Research Program)</h2>
|
||
<p>The Division of Intramural Research Programs (IRP) is the internal research division of the NIMH. Over 40 research groups conduct basic neuroscience research and clinical investigations of mental illnesses, brain function, and behavior at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more about research conducted at NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/priority-research-areas">
|
||
<h2>Priority Research Areas</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about NIMH priority areas for research and funding that have the potential to improve mental health care over the short, medium, and long term.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span6">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh/research-resources">
|
||
<h2>Resources for Researchers</h2>
|
||
<p>Information about resources such as data, tissue, model organisms and imaging resources to support the NIMH research community.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="funding-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/opportunities-announcements">
|
||
<h2>Opportunities & Announcements</h2>
|
||
<p>Find all NIMH and cross-NIH funding opportunities.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/funding-strategy-for-research-grants">
|
||
<h2>Funding Strategy for Grants</h2>
|
||
<p>Read more about the NIMH Strategic Plan for Research, Strategic Research Priorities, the anatomy of NIMH funding, and our yearly funding strategy for research grants.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process">
|
||
<h2>Application Process</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore the NIMH grant application process, including how to write your grant, how to submit your grant, and how the review process works.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/managing-your-grant">
|
||
<h2>Managing Grants</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about how NIMH manages research grants, including policies and reporting requirements.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/clinical-research">
|
||
<h2>Clinical Research</h2>
|
||
<p>Find the latest NIH and NIMH policies, guidance, and resources for clinical research.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/training">
|
||
<h2>Training</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore NIMH research training and career development opportunities.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/funding/sbir">
|
||
<h2>Small Business Research</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn about funding opportunities for small businesses.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<section class="box">
|
||
<h3>Quick Links</h3>
|
||
<p><a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements/funding-grant-news">Funding & Grant News</a></p>
|
||
<p><a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements/clinical-trials-foas">Support for Clinical Trials at NIMH</a></p>
|
||
</section>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="news-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/science-updates">
|
||
<h2>Science Updates</h2>
|
||
<p>List of NIMH science updates including press releases, research highlights, and institute announcements.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/events">
|
||
<h2>Meetings and Events</h2>
|
||
<p>Details about upcoming events—including meetings, conferences, workshops, lectures, webinars, and chats—sponsored by NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/media">
|
||
<h2>Multimedia</h2>
|
||
<p>NIMH videos and podcasts featuring science news, lecture series, meetings, seminars, and special events.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/social-media">
|
||
<h2>Social Media</h2>
|
||
<p>The latest information and resources on mental disorders shared on X, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/press-resources">
|
||
<h2>Press Resources</h2>
|
||
<p>Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/email-updates">
|
||
<h2>Email Updates</h2>
|
||
<p>Updates about mental health topics, including NIMH news, upcoming events, mental disorders, funding opportunities, and research.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/news/innovation-speaker-series">
|
||
<h2>Innovation Speaker Series</h2>
|
||
<p>An annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span4">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<h3>Contact the Press Office</h3>
|
||
<p>301-443-4536</p>
|
||
<p><a class="single-link" href="mailto:NIMHpress@nih.gov">NIMHpress@nih.gov</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="about-megamenu" class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/director">
|
||
<h2>About the Acting NIMH Director</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about the Acting Director of the NIMH, Shelli Avenevoli, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/advisory-boards-and-groups">
|
||
<h2>Advisory Boards and Groups</h2>
|
||
<p>Read about the boards and groups that advise and provide guidance to the Institute.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/strategic-planning-reports">
|
||
<h2>Strategic Plan</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about NIMH's roadmap for the Institute’s research priorities over the next five years.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/organization">
|
||
<h2>Offices and Divisions</h2>
|
||
<p>Learn more about the functions of each NIMH office and division.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/budget">
|
||
<h2>Budget</h2>
|
||
<p>Read the annual NIMH Congressional Justifications.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/careers">
|
||
<h2>Careers at NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Search for jobs, including scientific, administrative and executive careers at NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/staff-directories">
|
||
<h2>Staff Directories</h2>
|
||
<p>Find the names, telephone numbers, email addresses, and office locations of NIMH staff.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/nimh-history">
|
||
<h2>History</h2>
|
||
<p>Explore key milestones, discoveries, and the impact of NIMH-funded studies on mental health.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner">
|
||
<a class="megamenu_nav_i" href="/about/connect-with-nimh">
|
||
<h2>Getting to NIMH</h2>
|
||
<p>Find directions, maps, parking information, and other visitor information for NIMH.</p>
|
||
</a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="menu_flexbox_span3">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_extra">
|
||
<div class="menu_inner_pad">
|
||
<h3>Quick Links</h3>
|
||
<p><strong><a href="/about/connect-with-nimh/donate-to-mental-health-research" title="Donate to Mental Health Research">Contribute to Mental Health Research</a></strong></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</nav>
|
||
<nav id="block-mobilenavigation" role="navigation" aria-label="Mobile navigation" id="block-mobilenavigation">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p class="mobile-menu-close"><i class="fas fa-times fa-2x"></i></p>
|
||
<ul class="main-menu-content">
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" class="mobile-menu-top-level health-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1925">Mental Health Information Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/topics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1926">Health Topics</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/statistics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1243">Statistics</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/publications" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1927">Brochures and Fact Sheets</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/find-help" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1944">Help for Mental Illnesses</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/health/trials" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2009">Clinical Trials</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" class="mobile-menu-top-level getinvolved-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2019">Get Involved Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/public-involvement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2127">Stakeholder Engagement</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/connect-with-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8488">Connect with NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/digital-shareables" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7521">Digital Shareables</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/science-education" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/10164">Science Education</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/get-involved/events" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/8489">Upcoming Observances and Related Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" class="mobile-menu-top-level research-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7518">Research Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research/research-funded-by-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1992">Research Funded by NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/research/research-conducted-at-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1123">Research Conducted at NIMH (Intramural Research Program)</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" class="mobile-menu-top-level funding-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1128">Funding Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/opportunities-announcements" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1029">Opportunities & Announcements</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/funding-strategy-for-research-grants/strategy-for-research-grants" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1137">Strategy for Research Grants</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/grant-writing-and-application-process" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1995">Grant Writing & Approval Process</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/managing-your-grant" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1140">Managing Grants</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/clinical-research" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1190">Clinical Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/training" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2007">Research Training and Career Development Opportunities</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/funding/sbir" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1674">Small Business Research</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" class="mobile-menu-top-level news-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2128">News & Events Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/science-updates" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4730">Science Updates</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/events" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1986">Meetings and Events</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/5039">Multimedia</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/social-media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1659">Social Media</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/press-resources" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1653">Press Resources</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/email-updates" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2023">Email Updates</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/news/innovation-speaker-series" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7539">Innovation Speaker Series</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" class="mobile-menu-top-level about-menu" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us</a>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7558">About Us Home</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/director" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7459">About the Acting NIMH Director</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/advisory-boards-and-groups" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1964">Advisory Boards and Groups</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/strategic-planning-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1959">Strategic Plan</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/organization" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1963">Offices and Divisions</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/budget" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1967">Budget</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/careers" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/1960">Careers at NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/staff-directories" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2030">Staff Directories</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/nimh-history" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/11838">History</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<li class="navmenu_link">
|
||
<a href="/about/connect-with-nimh" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/7564">Getting to NIMH</a>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</nav>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div> <div class="submenu">
|
||
<div class="container">
|
||
<div class="row">
|
||
<div class="col-md-12">
|
||
<ul class="group navbar">
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/science-updates" class="navbari topnav subroot">Science Updates</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/events" class="navbari topnav subroot">Meetings and Events</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/media" class="navbari topnav subroot">Multimedia</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/social-media" class="navbari topnav subroot">Social Media</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/press-resources" class="navbari topnav subroot">Press Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/email-updates" class="navbari topnav subroot">Email Updates</a></li>
|
||
<li class="span navbarli"><a href="/news/innovation-speaker-series" class="navbari topnav subroot">Innovation Speaker Series</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="wrapper" class="pt-3 pt-sm-3 pt-md-3 pt-lg-0">
|
||
<div class="container pt-5 pt-sm-5 pt-md-5 pt-lg-0">
|
||
<div class="row"><div class="col-md-12 hidden-xs"><div class="breadcrumbs"><nav id="breadcrumbs" class="breadcrumbs__nav" aria-label="breadcrumb links" data-dirids="2293 2764 3515"><a href="/" data-dirlevel="0">Home</a> > <a href="/news" data-refid="2128" data-dirlevel="1" data-dirid="2293" >News & Events</a> > <a href="/news/science-updates" data-refid="4730" data-dirlevel="2" data-dirid="2764" >Science Updates</a> > <a href="/news/science-updates/2016" data-refid="4486" data-dirlevel="3" data-dirid="3515" >Science Updates from 2016</a> > <span data-refid="8008" data-dirlevel="4" data-dirid="3515" data-isleaf="1">Schizophrenia’s Strongest Known Genetic Risk Deconstructed</span></nav></div></div></div>
|
||
<div id="main_container">
|
||
<section class="share_links_wrap">
|
||
<div class="share_links_wrap_inner">
|
||
<h6 class="share_links_header">Share Page</h6>
|
||
<div class="share_links">
|
||
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=1086499805165807&display=popup&href=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2016%2Fschizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed&redirect_uri=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2016%2Fschizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on Facebook"><span class="facebook-share"><i class="fab fa-facebook-f"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2016%2Fschizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed&text=Schizophrenia%E2%80%99s%20Strongest%20Known%20Genetic%20Risk%20Deconstructed" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on X"><span class="twitter-share"><i class="fab fa-x-twitter"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2016%2Fschizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed&title=Schizophrenia%E2%80%99s%20Strongest%20Known%20Genetic%20Risk%20Deconstructed" rel="external noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="external-disclaimer" aria-label="Share this page on LinkedIn"><span class="linkedin-share"><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin-in"></i></span></a>
|
||
<a href="mailto:?subject=I%20Saw%20This%20on%20www.nimh.nih.gov%20--%20Schizophrenia%E2%80%99s%20Strongest%20Known%20Genetic%20Risk%20Deconstructed&body=https://www.nimh.nih.gov%2Fnews%2Fscience-updates%2F2016%2Fschizophrenias-strongest-known-genetic-risk-deconstructed" aria-label="Share this page by email"><span class="email-share"><i class="fas fa-envelope"></i></span></a>
|
||
<button class="print_icon" aria-label="Open print helper modal"><i class="fas fa-print"></i></button>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</section>
|
||
<div class="row">
|
||
<div class="flex_main_container col-md-12">
|
||
<div class="visible-xs sidebar-menu-helper">
|
||
<p class="leftnav_menu_toggle sb-toggle-left">Menu <i class="fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right"
|
||
aria-hidden="true"></i></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<aside class="layout-sidebar-first" role="complementary">
|
||
<section class="navblock areanav_child">
|
||
<h2 class="navblock__header">Contact(s)</h2>
|
||
<p class="navblock__text"><span class="vcard"><span
|
||
class="fn org">Jules Asher</span><br><span class="org"><abbr
|
||
title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</abbr> Press Office</span><br><span
|
||
class="tel">301-443-4536</span><br><a
|
||
href="mailto:NIMHpress@nih.gov">NIMHpress@nih.gov</a></span></p>
|
||
<br>
|
||
<p><a href="/news/press-resources">Press Resources</a></p>
|
||
</section>
|
||
<section class="navblock areanav_child">
|
||
<h2 class="navblock__header">More Science Updates about</h2>
|
||
<ul class="navblock__list">
|
||
<li class="navblock__list__item link-container"><a href="/news/science-updates/genetics"
|
||
class="single-link">Genetics</a></li>
|
||
<li class="navblock__list__item link-container"><a href="/news/science-updates/schizophrenia"
|
||
class="single-link">Schizophrenia</a></li>
|
||
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</section>
|
||
</aside>
|
||
<div id="main_content" class="areanav-true sidebar-false">
|
||
<main id="main-content">
|
||
<article id="main_content_inner">
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-local-tasks"></div>
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><style>
|
||
.row.feature-box{
|
||
background: #F0F8FF;
|
||
padding: 15px 5px 5px 5px;
|
||
border: 1px solid #e7ecff;
|
||
}
|
||
</style><div class="row feature-box m-0 mb-3"><div class="col-xl-12"><h5 class="mt-2 mb-0"><i class="fa-regular fa-box-archive"></i> Archived Content</h5><p><small>The National Institute of Mental Health archives materials that are over 4 years old and no longer being updated. The content on this page is provided for historical reference purposes only and may not reflect current knowledge or information.</small></p></div></div></div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="titleblock">
|
||
<h1 class="titleblock__title" id="title">Schizophrenia’s Strongest Known Genetic Risk Deconstructed</h1>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<p id="subtitle">Suspect gene may trigger runaway synaptic pruning during adolescence – NIH-funded study</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class="pagestamp_news_wrap">
|
||
<time class="pagestamp_news_time" datetime="2016-01-27">January 27, 2016</time>
|
||
• <span class="pagestamp_news_type">Press Release</span></p>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><p><iframe width="400" height="250" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s0y4equOTLg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen">&amp;amp;amp;nbsp;</iframe></p><p>Versions of a gene linked to <a href="/health/topics/schizophrenia" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ff9f1f75-d019-4b83-8cae-fa21e4e29b15" data-entity-substitution="canonical">schizophrenia</a> may trigger runaway pruning of the teenage brain’s still-maturing communications infrastructure, NIH-funded researchers have discovered. People with the illness show fewer such connections between neurons, or synapses. The gene switched on more in people with the suspect versions, who faced a higher risk of developing the disorder, characterized by hallucinations, delusions and impaired thinking and emotions.</p><p>“Normally, pruning gets rid of excess connections we no longer need, streamlining our brain for optimal performance, but too much pruning can impair mental function,” explained Thomas Lehner, Ph.D., director of the Office of Genomics Research Coordination of the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which co-funded the study along with the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute and other NIH components. “It could help explain schizophrenia’s delayed age-of-onset of symptoms in late adolescence/early adulthood and shrinkage of the brain’s working tissue. Interventions that put the brakes on this pruning process-gone-awry could prove transformative.”</p><p>The gene, called C4 (complement component 4), sits in by far the tallest tower on schizophrenia’s genomic <a href="/news/science-updates/2014/schizophrenias-genetic-skyline-rising" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f397e26e-48c4-452a-96ef-c43d60cad41f" data-entity-substitution="canonical">“skyline”</a> (see graph below) of more than 100 chromosomal sites harboring known genetic risk for the disorder. Affecting about 1 percent of the population, schizophrenia is known to be as much as 90 percent heritable, yet discovering how specific genes work to confer risk has proven elusive, until now.</p><p>A team of scientists led by <a href="https://genetics.med.harvard.edu/faculty/mccarroll" rel="external noreferrer">Steve McCarroll, Ph.D. <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>, of the Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, leveraged the statistical power conferred by analyzing the genomes of 65,000 people, 700 postmortem brains, and the precision of mouse genetic engineering to discover the secrets of schizophrenia’s strongest known genetic risk. C4’s role represents the most compelling evidence, to date, linking specific gene versions to a biological process that could cause at least some cases of the illness.</p><p>“Since schizophrenia was first described over a century ago, its underlying biology has been a black box, in part because it has been virtually impossible to model the disorder in cells or animals,” said McCarroll. “The human genome is providing a powerful new way in to this disease. Understanding these genetic effects on risk is a way of prying open that block box, peering inside and starting to see actual biological mechanisms.”</p><p>McCarroll’s team, including Harvard colleagues <a href="http://www.hms.harvard.edu/dms/neuroscience/fac/stevens.php" rel="external noreferrer">Beth Stevens, Ph.D. <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>, <a href="https://www.hms.harvard.edu/dms/immunology/fac/Carroll.php" rel="external noreferrer">Michael Carroll, Ph.D. <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>, and <a href="http://mccarrolllab.com/people/" rel="external noreferrer">Aswin Sekar <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>, report on their findings online Jan. 27, 2016 in the journal Nature.</p><p>A swath of chromosome 6 encompassing several genes known to be involved in immune function emerged as the strongest signal associated with schizophrenia risk in genome-wide analyses by the NIMH-funded <a href="https://pgc.unc.edu/" rel="external noreferrer">Psychiatric Genomics Consortium <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a> over the past several years. Yet conventional genetics failed to turn up any specific gene versions there linked to schizophrenia.</p><p>To discover how the immune-related site confers risk for the mental disorder, McCarroll’s team mounted a search for “cryptic genetic influences” that might generate “unconventional signals.” C4, a gene with known roles in immunity, emerged as a prime suspect because it is unusually variable across individuals. It is not unusual for people to have different numbers of copies of the gene and distinct DNA sequences that result in the gene working differently.</p><p>The researchers dug deeply into the complexities of how such structural variation relates to the gene’s level of expression and how that, in turn, might relate to schizophrenia. They discovered structurally distinct versions that affect expression of two main forms of the gene in the brain. The more a version resulted in expression of one of the forms, called C4A, the more it was associated with schizophrenia. The more a person had the suspect versions, the more C4 switched on and the higher their risk of developing schizophrenia. Moreover, in the human brain, the C4 protein turned out to be most prevalent in the cellular machinery that supports connections between neurons.</p><p>Adapting mouse molecular genetics techniques for studying synaptic pruning and C4’s role in immune function, the researchers also discovered a previously unknown role for C4 in brain development. During critical periods of postnatal brain maturation, C4 tags a synapse for pruning by depositing a sister protein in it called C3. Again, the more C4 got switched on, the more synapses got eliminated.</p><p>In humans, such streamlining/pruning occurs as the brain develops to full maturity in the late teens/early adulthood – conspicuously corresponding to the age-of-onset of schizophrenia symptoms.</p><p>Future treatments designed to suppress excessive levels of pruning by counteracting runaway C4 in at risk individuals might nip in the bud a process that could otherwise develop into psychotic illness, suggest the researchers. And thanks to the head start gained in understanding the role of such complement proteins in immune function, such agents are already in development, they note.</p><p>“This study marks a crucial turning point in the fight against mental illness. It changes the game,” added acting NIMH director Bruce Cuthbert, Ph.D. “Thanks to this genetic breakthrough, we can finally see the potential for clinical tests, early detection, new treatments and even prevention.”</p><p> </p><div class="image_middle_callout middle" data-cms-id="152107"><div class="image_middle_callout_wrapper"><article class="align-center media media--type-image media--view-mode-default">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<span class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/images/news-items/c4-genomic-skyline.png" width="500" height="299" alt="C4 tower in genomic skyline">
|
||
|
||
</span>
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
<div class="image_middle_callout_callout"><p><em>The site in Chromosome 6 harboring the gene C4 towers far above other risk-associated areas on schizophrenia’s genomic “skyline,” marking its strongest known genetic influence. The new study is the first to explain how specific gene versions work biologically to confer schizophrenia risk.</em></p></div><p class="image_middle_callout_source">Source: Psychiatric Genomics Consortium</p></div></div><h2>Reference</h2><p>Sekar A, Biala AR, de Rivera H, Davis A, Hammond TR, Kamitaki N, Tooley K Presumey J Baum M, Van Doren V, Genovese G, Rose SA, Handsaker RE, Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Daly MJ, Carroll MC, Stevens B, McCarroll SA. Schizophrenia risk from complex variation of complement component 4. Nature. Jan 27, 2016. DOI: 10.1038/nature16549.</p><h2>Grants</h2><p>MH10564, MH077139, HG006855, GM007753</p></body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
<div class="prtag">###</div>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><p><strong>About the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):</strong> The mission of the
|
||
<abbr title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH
|
||
</abbr> is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery and cure. For more information, visit the <a href="/">NIMH website</a>.
|
||
</p>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><p><strong>NHGRI</strong> is one of the 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health. The NHGRI Extramural Research Program supports grants for research, and training and career development at sites nationwide. Additional information about NHGRI can be found at <a href="http://www.genome.gov/" rel="external">www.genome.gov <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>.</p>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><p><strong>The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)</strong> is a part of the National Institutes of Health that supports basic research to increase our understanding of biological processes and lay the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. For more information on the Institute's research and training programs, visit <a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/" rel="external">www.nigms.nih.gov <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>.</p>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|
||
<html><body><p><strong>About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)</strong>: NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about <abbr title="National Institutes of Health">NIH</abbr> and its programs, visit the <a href="https://www.nih.gov" rel="external">NIH website <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon"></i></a>.</p>
|
||
<p><em>NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>®<br></sup></em></p>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|
||
|
||
</article>
|
||
</main>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<footer id="footer-contact">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-contactusfooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentc7a9e7bc-56ff-41ac-8678-60f3a9a54eeb">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><h2>NIMH Information Resource Center</h2><div><span class="small">Available in English and español</span></div><div class="row"><div class="col-xl-6 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"><p class="phone"><em><i class="fas fa-phone" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Phone: </strong> <a href="tel:1-866-615-6464">1-866-615-6464</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-comments" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Live Online Chat: </strong> <a href="https://infocenter.nimh.nih.gov">Talk to a representative</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-envelope" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em> <strong>Email: </strong> <a href="mailto:nimhinfo@nih.gov">nimhinfo@nih.gov</a> <br><em><i class="far fa-clock" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em><strong>Hours:</strong> 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, M-F</p></div><div class="col-xl-6 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 col-xs-12"><p><strong>Mail: </strong> National Institute of Mental Health <br>Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications <br>6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9663 <br>Bethesda, MD 20892-9663</p></div></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-nimhtheme-linkdisclaimer" class="block block-block-content block-block-content43e6eaa7-a06a-4a06-9eff-b06d3dded90d">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div id="footer-disclaimer"><h2>Disclaimer</h2><p>We link to external websites for informational purposes only, but we do not endorse or guarantee their accuracy. Once you leave our site, you will be subject to the new website’s privacy policy. Read NIMH’s <a href="/site-info/policies#part_2717"><u>full external linking policy</u></a> for more information.</p></div></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
|
||
<footer id="footer-social">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-followusfooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-contentcafb1a66-d0fb-4772-b5c2-5c7d0773f849">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="row"><div class="col-lg-8 col-md-7 col-sm-12 followus"><h3>Follow Us</h3><p><a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.instagram.com/nimhgov/" title="NIMH Instagram" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Instagram</span><em><i class="fab fa-instagram" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.facebook.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH Facebook" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Facebook</span><em><i class="fab fa-facebook-f" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-institute-of-mental-health-nimh" title="NIMH LinkedIn" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Linkedin</span><em><i class="fab fa-linkedin-in" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://twitter.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH Twitter" rel="external"><span class="hidden">Twitter</span><em><i class="fab fa-x-twitter" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a> <a class="external-disclaimer" href="https://www.youtube.com/nimhgov" title="NIMH YouTube" rel="external"><span class="hidden">YouTube</span><em><i class="fab fa-youtube" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a href="/news/email-updates" title="NIMH Newsletters" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="72c6d25b-a844-48b0-be68-5c85cf5df771" data-entity-substitution="canonical"> <em><i class="far fa-file-alt" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a><a href="/news/web-channels" title="NIMH News Feeds" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="26a1cafd-738b-443d-920f-c491f872d6d9" data-entity-substitution="canonical"> <em><i class="fas fa-rss" style="background:#005395;" aria-hidden="true"> </i></em></a></p></div><div class="col-lg-4 col-md-5 col-sm-12"><h3 class="mb-0">Subscribe to NIMH Email Updates</h3><form class="subscribe-in-banner" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIMH/subscribers/qualify" method="get" name="Subscribe"><p><label><span class="hidden">Type email address...</span> <input class="subscribe_box" aria-label="Type email address..." name="email" placeholder="Type email address..." size="30" type="text"> </label><input type="submit" value="Subscribe"> </p></form></div></div><style>
|
||
.followus p a {
|
||
margin: .1rem;
|
||
}
|
||
.followus i.fab:hover, .followus i.far:hover, .followus i.fas:hover{
|
||
background-color: #00335e !important;
|
||
}
|
||
</style></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
|
||
<footer id="footer-siteInfo">
|
||
<div class="footer-container container">
|
||
<div>
|
||
<div id="block-siteinfofooter" class="block block-block-content block-block-content7adf2027-35bd-4389-9dd4-330dcc3d17c4">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div class="row" id="block-footer"><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>NIMH Resources</h5><p><a href="/health/topics" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f7e048e4-f68f-4b7f-afb8-6fb95336f6b3" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Health Topics</a> <br><a href="/health/publications" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3a6321c0-9c96-45b6-8d5c-5f4eab17632b" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Brochures and Fact Sheets</a> <br><a href="/site-info/contact-nimh" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3b82dd34-6040-4763-a9ff-db0c3d5b6a38" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Contact Us</a> <br><a href="/health/topics/espanol" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d6df42f3-6876-496e-918c-cc34cc7681f7" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Información en español</a></p></div><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>Policies and Notices</h5><p><a href="/site-info/privacy-policy" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f9084068-f15e-4322-b69b-eb250f301bf4" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Privacy Policy</a> <br><a href="/site-info/policies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e7a9f3b0-b458-4dcd-84aa-2c373b217d3f" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Website Policies</a> <br><a href="http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/foia/index.htm" rel="external">FOIA <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="/site-info/accessibility" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="35acaa5a-b4a3-4061-b0b9-018d0e02b011" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Accessibility</a> <br><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" rel="external">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></p></div><div class="col-xl-4 col-lg-4 col-md-4 col-sm-4 col-xs-12"><h5>Federal Resources</h5><p><a href="http://www.nih.gov/" rel="external">National Institutes of Health (NIH) <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/" rel="external">NIH Virtual Tour <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="https://www.hhs.gov" rel="external">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a> <br><a href="http://www.usa.gov/" rel="external">USA.gov <i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square ext-link-icon" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></p></div></div><p class="institute_boilerplate">The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of NIH, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-backtotop" class="block block-block-content block-block-content2fd64a46-6d78-4c08-8260-bf3aad9aa46d">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p class="hidden-sm hidden-xs" id="backtotop"><a href="#skipnav"><span class="bt-img"> </span><span>Top</span></a>
|
||
</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_Ar12EQc0ItFgOVOiA7ch7vfF-NWs4pUi1kGBcM1-7rw.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJzLy8zNKMlIzU3VT8vPK0ksTy3Oz02NN9PJg4un5-QnJeboFicXZRaUFAMA0TwS7A"></script>
|
||
<script src="//kit.fontawesome.com/1ea3372bd6.js" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
|
||
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_uIBU-5fuvQZZvnNDo5BMVNRXUN7VE0SzzMMTrzW1miA.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=nimhtheme&include=eJzLy8zNKMlIzU3VT8vPK0ksTy3Oz02NN9PJg4un5-QnJeboFicXZRaUFAMA0TwS7A"></script>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|