Project Summary

Pierandrea Muglia, M.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Centre For Addiction and Mental Health, is studying schizophrenia and bipolar disorder which are diseases with a demonstrated genetic component.  There is a reasonable chance that variation of the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene that control normal development of the brain could be responsible for the abnormalities observed in schizophrenia and bipolar brains.  Dr. Muglia has previously uncovered evidence that BDNF variation could be a risk factor for both disorders.  In this project, Dr. Muglia will continue to investigate this gene at the molecular level, testing additional gene variations and exploring the functional role.  Additional families with bipolar and schizophrenia will be tested to replicate initial findings.  Furthermore, Dr. Muglia will test whether BDNF association for schizophrenia and bipolar is more prominent in specific subtypes of the two disorders.

Program Area: MULTIPLE FOCUS AREAS\Schizophrenia/Bipolar

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