Project Summary

Elvira Bramon, M.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of the Institute of Psychiatry/King’s College of London, plans to study how two susceptibility genes for psychosis, neuregulin and dysbindin, affect brain function and behavior in families affected by psychiatric illness to better understand how they might predict risk for mental illness. It has been known for some time that psychotic disorders run in families and are under substantial genetic influence. But the first susceptibility genes (neuregulin and dysbindin) only have been identified recently. There is probably not a single gene for psychosis, but a group of genes that make individuals more vulnerable to develop psychosis, should they be exposed to adverse environments. Dr. Brannon’s project involves studying families with members affected with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other forms of psychosis. Seventy families involving 300 individuals (one third of them affected) volunteered to participate. They donated DNA and underwent brain function assessment with electroencephalograms. By using objective and reliable tests of brain function and standard assessments of symptoms and diagnosis, Dr. Brannon hopes to clarify how neuregulin and dysbindin impact on psychosis, and to find other genes that convey risk for psychosis. Such gene identifications should improve the understanding and treatment of psychotic disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Bipolar Disorder/Schizophrenia

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