Esquizofrenia - Ultimas Noticias

Scientists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with scientists from a pharmaceutical company, have reported the discovery of the second gene, phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), in the journal Science.

Their discoveries could lead to the eventual development of new drugs to treat mental health problems.

In 2000, researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a gene they called Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), which was found to increase the chances of people developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depression) and major clinical depression.

The latest research reveals that damage to the gene PDE4B also increases the risk of developing mental illness. PDE4B was already known to play an important role in how the brain thinks and builds memories, but had not previously been linked to mental disorder.

In addition, researchers have discovered that DISC1 acts as a regulator for PDE4B, revealing a potentially important relationship between the two genes.

Professor David Porteous at the University of Edinburgh said: “This is another important breakthrough in our still limited understanding of major mental illness. It is the result of a long term research commitment to use the tools of genetics to better understand the root causes of mental disorder.

“This has been a fantastic combined effort. The collaboration between the Universities of Edinburgh and of Glasgow, jointly with our research colleagues at Merck Sharpe & Dohme has really made this happen.

“It is now clear that the DISC1 gene plays an important role in the risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder. The new genetic link we have made to PDE4B and how that links back to DISC1 sheds much needed light on these debilitating disorders. It also suggests a new way of thinking about developing better and effective medicines.”

http://www.ed.ac.uk/news/051122schizo.html