Gene Linked to Brain Growth in Schizophrenia
The New Scientist featured a short article on genetic researcher Hugh Gurling's latest interest in genes and schizophrenia. Gurling tested patients with schizophrenia for mutations in the pericentriolar material 1 (PCM1) gene. Decrease in gray matter volume in the orbitofrontal cortex was found.
"This is the first time anybody has been able to separate out a genetic subtype of schizophrenia and show abnormal brain volume and shape correlated with it," says Gurling.
PCM1’s role is cell division, and is most active during adolescence; when schizophrenia is diagnosed. Its hypothesized that the mutation in PCM1, and the decrease in gray matter volume at this time could cause abnormal functioning of the orbitofrontal cortex.
"The sort of symptoms that these schizophrenics get - poor judgment, inappropriate social behavior and not keeping themselves clean - are linked to this area of the brain," says Gurling.
Read Article:
"Brain growth link to schizophrenia" New Scientist
Research Article Summary: Genetic Association and Brain Morphology Studies and the Chromosome 8p22 Pericentriolar Material 1 (PCM1) Gene in Susceptibility to Schizophrenia
Posted by Michelle Roberts at August 14, 2006 11:50 AM
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Schizophrenia Genetics
Not keeping themselves clean ; if is linked to a particular arrea of brain is very interesting.Is not keeping themselves clean is linked to their FEAR OF WATER? Or just they want to be disorganised and dirty.
Posted by: captainjohann at August 20, 2006 03:13 AM
hygeine problems with schizophrenia have to do with organizing and planning, rather than wanting to be dirty or fearing anything specific.
i think that sometimes positive symptoms and organization/planning problems blend together, so that, for example, if a person can't organize and plan the steps of a shower, and to try to do so seems confusing and overwhelming due to organizing problems, they start to have fear of the water and shower.
some of my homeless friends have had problems with getting accosted in the showers at emergency shelters, and that only adds to their problems.
Posted by: slc2 at August 23, 2006 07:11 AM
I have a sixteen year old son. I have problems with his grooming and severe body oder. He was recently diagnoised with bipolar, but now we have gone back to the hospital again. Now he is being treated for Schizophrenia. Iam cluless about this mental disease. I wish I could find out from other parents their experiences.
Posted by: Tammy Oden at November 16, 2006 04:28 PM
i grew up with a sister that has schizophrenia,she was not afraid of the water in fact she was a better swimmer than i was, but she also did not bathe frequently.i think it was her lack of enthusiasm towards other people that made bathing not an essentail part of her day
Posted by: sandi at November 26, 2006 04:36 PM
Not keeping themselves clean ; if is linked to a particular arrea of brain is very interesting.Is not keeping themselves clean is linked to their FEAR OF WATER? Or just they want to be disorganised and dirty.
Posted by: captainjohann at August 20, 2006 03:13 AM
hygeine problems with schizophrenia have to do with organizing and planning, rather than wanting to be dirty or fearing anything specific.
i think that sometimes positive symptoms and organization/planning problems blend together, so that, for example, if a person can't organize and plan the steps of a shower, and to try to do so seems confusing and overwhelming due to organizing problems, they start to have fear of the water and shower.
some of my homeless friends have had problems with getting accosted in the showers at emergency shelters, and that only adds to their problems.
Posted by: slc2 at August 23, 2006 07:11 AM
I have a sixteen year old son. I have problems with his grooming and severe body oder. He was recently diagnoised with bipolar, but now we have gone back to the hospital again. Now he is being treated for Schizophrenia. Iam cluless about this mental disease. I wish I could find out from other parents their experiences.
Posted by: Tammy Oden at November 16, 2006 04:28 PM
i grew up with a sister that has schizophrenia,she was not afraid of the water in fact she was a better swimmer than i was, but she also did not bathe frequently.i think it was her lack of enthusiasm towards other people that made bathing not an essentail part of her day
Posted by: sandi at November 26, 2006 04:36 PM