Scientists are eyeing a rare genetic glitch for clues to improved treatments for some people with schizophrenia — even though they found the mutation in only one third of 1 percent of patients. In the study, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, schizophrenia patients were 14 times more likely than controls to harbor multiple copies of a gene on Chromosome 7. The mutations were in the gene for VIPR2, the receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) — a chemical messenger known to play a role in brain development. An examination of patients’ blood confirmed that they had overactive VIP activity.

Related posts:

  1. Gene Associated with Rare Adrenal Disorder Appears To Trigger Cell Death, According to NIH Study A gene implicated in Carney complex, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, appears to function as a molecular switch to limit cell growth and division, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions....
  2. Medicare Card: Gene Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease Plays Key Role in Cell Survival Scientists have discovered that a gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease may play a beneficial role in cell survival by enabling neurons to clear away toxic proteins. A study funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, shows the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene is essential to the function of […]...
  3. In NIH-funded study, researchers uncover early step in the cascade of brain events leading up to addiction A regulatory protein best known for its role in a rare genetic brain disorder also may play a critical role in cocaine addiction, according to a recent study in rats, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The study was published today in the journal […]...
  4. Study identifies gene that suppresses cell’s immune activation A new study of prostate tumors has shown that a gene, FOXO3, suppresses activation of cells related to immunity and thus leads to a reduced immune response against a growing cancer. One of the main problems in treating cancer by vaccine or immunotherapy is that tumors often evade the body’s immune response — and one […]...
  5. Scientists identify gene that could hold the key to muscle repair Researchers have long questioned why patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) tend to manage well through childhood and adolescence, yet succumb to their disease in early adulthood, or why elderly people who lose muscle strength following bed rest find it difficult or impossible to regain. Now, researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal […]...
  6. Medicare, NIH scientists identify possible gene target for treating a form of lymphoma Researchers have identified a mutation in a gene that could lead to targeted therapies for certain lymphoma patients whose cure rates are currently poor. Mutation of the MYD88 gene was found to be one of the most frequent genetic abnormalities in a form of cancer known as diffuse large B cell lymphoma. MYD88 encodes a […]...
  7. Rare Disease Day at NIH presents latest research from various agencies and advocacy groups The National Institutes of Health will celebrate the Fourth Annual Rare Disease Day Feb. 28 with a day-long celebration co-sponsored by the NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research and the NIH Clinical Center. The event will recognize rare diseases research activities supported by several government agencies and advocacy organizations. Attendance is free and open to […]...
  8. Large NIH-funded rehabilitation study looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet Large NIH-funded rehabilitation study looks at getting stroke patients back on their feet...
  9. NIH-funded study finds new possible risk factor of heart disease, Medicare NIH-funded study finds new possible risk factor of heart disease, Medicare...
  10. Medicare Future? Pathways that Can Repair Brca1 Cancer Gene Mutation Clarified in Mice In a new study in mice, scientists have compensated for mutations in the Brca1 gene that can lead to cancer by deleting a second gene, which then lessens the probability of cancer. Mice Brca1-associated mammary tumors have significant similarities to human BRCA1- associated (BReast CAncer 1, early onset) breast cancer in regard to tumor aggressiveness, high incidence, mutations and genetic instability. The study, led by scientists at National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their colleagues, appeared online April 1, 2010 and in print April 16, 2010, in the journal Cell....
  11. Gene Mutations Linked to Early-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease An international team has discovered that mutations in either of 2 related genes cause a severe and rare form of inflammatory bowel disease in young children. The discovery allowed the researchers to successfully treat one of the study patients with a bone marrow transplant....
  12. NIH-funded study shows early brain effects of HIV in mouse model A new mouse model closely resembles how the human body reacts to early HIV infection and is shedding light on nerve cell damage related to the disease, according to researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health....
  13. Researchers extend use of gene therapy to treat a soft tissue tumor Researchers extend use of gene therapy to treat a soft tissue tumor...
  14. NIH researchers link rare cancer to cell oxygen deficiency Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered that a rare cancer of the digestive tract is linked to a shutdown in an enzyme that helps supply oxygen to cells....
  15. Funded study uses planning prompts to enhance vaccination rates We all have good intentions, but sometimes we need a nudge to turn those intentions into actions. According to a new study, encouraging people to write down the date and time when they plan to get their flu shot increased the number of people who were vaccinated. MedicareCard.com has been serving consumers for several years […]...