Researchers confirm multiple genes robustly contribute to schizophrenia risk in replication study

Researchers confirm multiple genes robustly contribute to schizophrenia risk in replication study

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Multiple genes contribute to risk for schizophrenia and appear to function in pathways related to transmission of signals in the brain and immunity, according to an international study led by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy researchers.

By better understanding the molecular and biological mechanisms involved with schizophrenia, scientists hope to use this new genetic information to one day develop and design drugs that are more efficacious and have fewer side effects.

In a study published online in the April issue of JAMA Psychiatry, the JAMA Network journal, researchers used a comprehensive and unique approach to robustly identify genes and biological processes conferring risk for schizophrenia.

The researchers first used 21,953 subjects to examine over a million genetic markers. They then systematically collected results from other kinds of biological schizophrenia studies and combined all these results using a novel data integration approach.

The most promising genetic markers were tested again in a large collection of families with schizophrenia patients, a design that avoids pitfalls that have plagued genetic studies of schizophrenia in the past. The genes they identified after this comprehensive approach were found to have involvement in brain function, nerve cell development and immune response.

"Now that we have genes that are robustly associated with schizophrenia, we can begin to design much more specific experiments to understand how disruption of these genes may affect brain development and function," said principal investigator Edwin van den Oord, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science at the VCU School of Pharmacy.

"Also, some of these genes provide excellent targets for the development of new drugs," he said.

One specific laboratory experiment currently underway at VCU to better understand the function of one of these genes, TCF4, is being led by Joseph McClay, Ph.D., a co-author on the study and assistant professor and laboratory director in the VCU Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine. TCF4 works by switching on other genes in the brain. McClay and colleagues are conducting a National Institutes of Health-funded study to determine all genes that are under the control of TCF4. By mapping the entire network, they aim to better understand how disruptions to TCF4 increase risk for schizophrenia.

"Our results also suggest that the novel data integration approach used in this study is a promising tool that potentially can be of great value in studies of a large variety of complex genetic disorders," said lead author Karolina A. Aberg, Ph.D., research assistant professor and laboratory co-director of the Center for Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine in the VCU School of Pharmacy.

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Virginia Commonwealth University: http://www.vcu.edu

Thanks to Virginia Commonwealth University for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127679/Researchers_confirm_multiple_genes_robustly_contribute_to_schizophrenia_risk_in_replication_study

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Lost Civil War ring returned to kin of Pa. soldier

John Blue, Manassas, Va., and Ernie Schlegel, hold a ring during a ceremony at Charles Evan Cemetery in Reading, Pa. Blue found the ring at a construction site in 2005. The ring belonged to Levi Schlegel, a Reading-area native who is believed to have lost it nearly 150 years ago at an encampment near Fredericksburg, Va. Ernie, a distant cousin, was given the ring by John at Levi's grave. (AP Photo/Reading Eagle. Susan L. Angstadt)

John Blue, Manassas, Va., and Ernie Schlegel, hold a ring during a ceremony at Charles Evan Cemetery in Reading, Pa. Blue found the ring at a construction site in 2005. The ring belonged to Levi Schlegel, a Reading-area native who is believed to have lost it nearly 150 years ago at an encampment near Fredericksburg, Va. Ernie, a distant cousin, was given the ring by John at Levi's grave. (AP Photo/Reading Eagle. Susan L. Angstadt)

READING, Pa. (AP) ? A ring lost by a Union soldier from Pennsylvania during the Civil War has completed a long journey home.

The ring was worn by Levi Schlegel, a Reading-area native who is believed to have lost it nearly 150 years ago at an encampment near Fredericksburg, Va.

Relic hunter John Blue found the ring at a construction site in 2005. Though it was engraved with Schlegel's name and unit ? "Co. G., 198th P.V.," or Pennsylvania Volunteers ? Blue wasn't sure how to find Schlegel's descendants, and kept the ring in a box for several years.

A genealogist ultimately helped Blue track down Schlegel's family. On Tuesday, Blue presented the ring to a distant cousin during a ceremony at Levi Schlegel's grave in Reading.

"This is truly a hero's journey," said the cousin, Ernie Schlegel.

Another distant relative, James W. Schlegel of Reading, said he felt pride as he touched the ring.

"I think about all the time that passed since Levi and so many others fought for our freedom," Schlegel, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, told the Reading Eagle. "As a veteran, I know the importance of fighting for freedom, and I'm proud to know the Schlegel family did its part."

After the war, Levi Schlegel returned to Reading, where he worked as a carpenter and helped raise 11 children. He died in 1932 at age 91.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, http://www.readingeagle.com/

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2013-04-10-Civil%20War%20Ring/id-73a5bf619d0240c28774dc13928d8861

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Malawian government harshly criticizes Madonna

BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) ? The Malawi government alleges pop diva Madonna tried to use her fame and money to press the state for VIP treatment.

A harshly-worded statement issued Wednesday by the president's office in the capital, Lilongwe, criticized Madonna, alleging that she expected to have special VIP status.

Madonna, who has had VIP treatment during her previous visits, was apparently surprised when she and her travelling party had to line up with ordinary passengers and be frisked by airport security when she left the country.

President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, saying that that the star only added classrooms to existing schools.

Despite the new furor, Madonna said that she remains committed to helping the children of Malawi.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/malawian-government-harshly-criticizes-madonna-190009063.html

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