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Schizophrenia Research Study with Need for Participants: Jewish and Non-Jewish Families Needed

I encourage everyone to participate in these if appropriate. Obviously the better the research these organizations can do, the faster they can find solutions to the problems of Schizophrenia and the faster people can get improved treatment. - Brian.

From Lucus Kempf, at John Hopkins University:

 

I was wondering if you could post our request for families to participate in a genetic study? Here is a sample of our flyer for the Jewish community but we are also interested in finding families who are not Jewish.

 

Family Studies in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder in The Jewish Community

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has been a leader in the fields of genetics and psychiatry for many years. A team of investigators headed by Dr. Ann Pulver is investigating the genetic basis for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in the Ashkenazi Jewish Community. Prior research has indicated that the susceptibility to both these disorders is associated with genetic factors. Recent advances in molecular biology and statistical genetics now make it possible to identify and describe the specific genes that cause such complex diseases as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This knowledge will be used by researchers to help develop new treatments for these diseases.

 

LINKAGE STUDIES

Using genetic analysis, scientists can track small parts of each chromosome through a family and determine whether the occurrence of a specific disease or trait is associated with the presence or absence of ome chromosome marker. Using the results obtained from many families, scientists get clues as to which segment of a chromosome is most likely to contain a gene involved in schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Thus, a particular area of a chromosome is "linked" to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

 

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PROGRESS IN THE SEARCH FOR A GENETIC BASIS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR

DISORDER

 

For both disorders, linkages on several chromosomes have been reported. Specific genes have not been identified. One of the limiting factors in this work is the availability of appropriate families for the participation in this research.

 

WHY STUDY THE ASHKENAZI

JEWISH COMMUNITY?

 

The Ashkenazi Jewish Community is a relatively genetically homogenous ethnic group and provides a unique opportunity to contribute to our understanding of the genes involved in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The identification of susceptibility genes in the Jewish Community will hopefully lead to the development of new medications for these diseases.

 

WHICH FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE

FOR THE STUDY?

 

Ashkenazi Jewish Families with TWO OR MORE SIBLINGS diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and who have AT LEAST ONE LIVING PARENT.

Or Ashkenazi Jewish Families with BOTH PARENTS LIVING and AN OFFSPRING diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

 

WHAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF PARTICIPANTS?

 

Participants will participate in a confidential interview which includes family history and diagnostic clinical assessment questions. They will be asked to sign consents for relevant medical records, and to donate a small blood sample. Participants do not have to travel.

 

REFERRAL PROCEDURES

 

Families may be referred by a clinician or may contact us

directly. Clinicians who know of families that may be eligible can contribute to this research by talking to patients and/or their relatives. If you would like to help or know more visist our website at http://www.med.jhu.edu/gene_epi/flyer.html or contact us toll free at 1-888-289-4095.

 

You can also send email to: gullrich@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu

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