Project Summary

David Braff, M.D. (Distinguished Investigator 2007) of the University of California, San Diego, will analyze blood samples of well characterized schizophrenia patients and normal comparison subjects obtained from a larger schizophrenia study he is conducting to identify specific patterns of deficits, add unique information about functional status and outcome, as well as genetic information and analyses not supported by other sources. The goal of this project is to understand the complex genetic make-up of different measurable characteristics of schizophrenia, as well as to explore the genetic basis of functional impairments using advanced gene chip technology and statistical genetic methods. Dr. Braff expects to identify the relationship between specific candidate genes for schizophrenia associated with the neurophysiologic, neurocognitive and day-to-day functional impairments in schizophrenia patients (providing a “real world” link between genetics and the symptoms of schizophrenia), which will in turn lead to improved treatments.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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