Project Summary

Ayse Nurten Akarsu, M.D., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2003) of Hacettepe University, identified a new locus for bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) on chromosome 20pll.2-qll.2 using a large autosomal dominant Turkish Bipolar type 1 family. However, the critical interval was considerably large and additional families as well as cases and controls from the same ethnic background were necessary to identify a gene responsible for this disorder. Recently, an independent study with American families suggested that this locus may also be common in other populations. He has now established the Bipolar Study Group of Turkey to obtain sufficient number of samples to reduce the critical region and has a countrywide recruited rich registry containing large families, sib pairs, parent-offspring trios as well as cases and controls. Additionally, the human chromosome 20 was completely sequenced in the human genome project and high quality sequence data is now publicly available, which afforded Dr. Akarsu an opportunity to screen all genes in the critical region using a limited number of individuals from the key BPAD family linked to the chr 20 locus. He now wants 1) to reduce the critical interval on chromosome 20 for bipolar disorder and 2) to identify causative mutation(s) for this disorder. Studies will occur jointly between both a Gene Mapping Laboratory, at Hacettepe University, in Ankara, Turkey and at the Division of Medical Genetics, at University of Geneva, in Switzerland.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Bipolar

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