Chinese Scientists Identify Schizophrenia Susceptibility Gene

Scientists have pinpointed a specific gene that increases susceptibility to schizophrenia. Researchers analyzed the genes of around 12,000 individuals with and without schizophrenia from two separate cohorts and discovered "Tspan-18," a gene located in the 11th chromosome that increases susceptibility to the mental illness. Chinese researchers have also validated another schizophrenia-susceptible gene discovered by foreign counterparts, located in the sixth chromosome. Schizophrenia is characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and emotional responsiveness. Scientists around the globe are trying to discover the causes of and permanent treatment for the mental disorder through genetic analysis. The research was jointly conducted by scientists from Anhui Medical University and that university's first hospital, along with experts from the National Human Genome Center and Peking University. The scientists' findings were published in an online edition of the scientific journal Nature Genetics.