Five new regions of the human genome associated with schizophrenia.

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University of Newcastle scientists are part of a global research project that has identified five new regions of the human genome associated with schizophrenia.

The Schizophrenia Psychiatric Genome-Wide Association Study Consortium used data from the Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank (ASRB). The Bank is managed by the Schizophrenia Research Institute’s University of Newcastle group and collects genetic, clinical and neurological information from up to 4,000 volunteers across Australia. The study, published today in the prestigious international journal Nature Genetics, also confirmed that two other previously identified gene loci are associated with schizophrenia.

Professor Rodney Scott* from the University of Newcastle said the findings were a major step in identifying exactly which genes were involved in schizophrenia risk. “This data confirms that complex genetic variation contributes to an individual’s likelihood of developing schizophrenia,” he said.

Ref and Read more: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/news/2011/09/19/breakthrough-for-schizophrenia-research.html

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