Project Summary

Anne Susan Bassett, M.D., FRCPC (Distinguished Investigator 2002) of University of Toronto, believes it is essential to not only identify susceptibility loci for schizophrenia, but also to determine the pathway from genetic changes to expression in schizophrenia because, as in many human diseases, only a subset of individuals who carry genetic susceptibility go on to develop the illness.  Dr. Basset is performing fine localization and mutational screening for a schizophrenia susceptibility locus on 1q21-22 and will identify possible clinical predictive factors involved in expression of schizophrenia in studies using cross-sectional and retrospective data in a linkage study with familial schizophrenia (FS) families; she is pursuing similar studies of predictive factors of schizophrenia expression in 22qDS.  Prospectively studying individuals before onset of schizophrenia will enhance the likelihood that important pathogenetic and protective features may be identified.  Identifying factors that predict expression of schizophrenia is important in developing strategies to potentially prevent or delay illness onset and/or decrease the significant morbidity and mortality associated with schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

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