Gene causing schizophrenia identified

Indian scientists claim to have identified a gene that causes schizophrenia.

"The gene was identified in three members of a family and its mutation was observed in all the individuals affected by the mental disorder," Professor Samir K Brahamachari, Director, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, and a member of the team of scientists that made the discovery, said.

The scientists found that the three patients had a mutation in gene 'Synaptogyrin 1', he said, adding that the gene is located on Chromosome 22 in a region that is implicated in development of schizophrenia by several studies.

The gene has a potential for predictive diagnosis and it is expected to give a better understanding of schizophrenia vis-à-vis the "cure", Brahamachari said.

A US patent has been granted for the method of detection of the mutation, he said, adding that the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences also participated in the study.

Brahamachari, however, said this is not the only gene responsible for the disorder. "We are looking at many more genes."

The study paper has been published in Biological Psychiatry journal.