Project Summary

Michael R. James, Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2005) of Queensland Institute of Medical Research, aims to search for genes associated with schizophrenia. He plans to focus his investigation to a region on chromosome 2, which has been implicated as having the strongest linkage to the disease. Although many genes are located in this region, Dr. James aims to narrow the search to fewer genes using different families he has identified. While it is unlikely that any single gene alone will cause the disease, the identification of any gene may be crucial to identify those individuals most at risk, as well as identify novel targets for the design of rational therapies to treat schizophrenia. Equally importantly, the biochemical pathways and molecular mechanisms implicated in a gene discovery may lead to pharmacological interventions aimed at pathogenesis rather than symptoms.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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