Genetic causality in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: out with the old and in with the new

作者：Porteous David^*

来源：Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, 2008, 18(3): 229-234.

DOI：10.1016/j.gde.2008.07.005

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder are highly heritable forms of major mental illness. Great hopes were held out for a major breakthrough with the advent of genome wide association studies, but to date there have been no obvious low hanging fruit. A richer harvest of strong candidates has however emerged from molecular cytogenetics and copy number variant mapping strategies promise to add more. Both strategies identify gene mutations, paving a direct path to biological studies and tests of causality. Risk genes and convergent biological pathways common to both disorders are being revealed, offering hope for a better understanding of aetiological factors and for the development of biomarkers to aid in diagnosis and prognosis.

• 出版日期2008-6