Risk factor linked to schizophrenia identified by NUI Galway scientist

A joint research team led by an NUI Galwayscientist has found that changes in a little-known gene called ULK4 were observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

A rare risk factor which is associated with mental illnesses like schizophrenia has been identified by a joint research team led by an NUI Galway (NUIG) scientist.

The research team has found that changes in a little-known gene called ULK4 were observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

The findings are published today in the Journal of Cell Science.

Prof Sanbing Shen of NUIGs Regenerative Medicine Institute, who led the research, says that this could contribute to more effective treatment of the condition in time.

The multi-institutional study examined a database of up to 7,000 people, half of whom had schizophrenia and half of whom did not.

Many genetic risk factors have been associated with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder and depression, but Prof Shen and his team were able to characterise how the ULK4 gene functions in the brain.

He and his colleagues found that when levels of ULK4 were decreased, through mutation or deletion, the neuronal (brain) cells tend to function less well.

This leads to reduced synaptic function and other changes that are also known as risk factors of schizophrenia.

Prof Shen said ULK4 is essential for the formation of the nerve fibres which connect the two sides of the brain.

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Risk factor linked to schizophrenia identified by NUI Galway scientist