Scientists’ schizophrenia discovery

Aberdeen researchers uncover gene mutations which could lead to new treatments

By Morag Lindsay

Published:

Researchers in Aberdeen have helped discover genes linked to the mental illness schizophrenia, which could lead to new drug treatments.

It is hoped the finding could also lead to earlier diagnosis of the disorder, which affects one in every 100 people.

The breakthrough, reported in two papers published in the journal Nature, follows major international studies involving scientists from Aberdeen University. Professor David St Clair, who holds the chair in mental health at Aberdeen University and is an author on both papers, described it as a landmark discovery in the field of schizophrenia research.

He expects it to open the door to “dozens and dozens” of similar genetic mutations in the next 12 months, which could pave the way for tailor-made treatments.

“One of the problems at the moment is that the drugs that are used in treating schizophrenia are based on drugs discovered 50 or 60 years ago,” he said.

“We don’t know which ones work for which people, so prescribing them is largely a case of trial and error and can involve unpleasant side-effects.

“If we can classify the different sub-groups of the illness, it might be possible to create drugs tailored to individual needs.”

He added that the findings could also make it possible to identify those at risk of mental illness before it arises, or diagnose them more accurately when symptoms do appear.

The two studies were the first to involve large-scale surveys of schizophrenia patients. Each examined the DNA of about 5,000 patients from all over the world.

They found four mutations of the gene sequence occurred more frequently in people with schizophrenia.

Not everyone who has the mutations will have the disorder but those who do are up to 15 times more likely to have schizophrenia.

Prof St Clair said the discovery was the “final nail in the coffin of the argument” that schizophrenia has no genetic cause.

The Aberdeen scientists, with colleagues at Aberdeen University, were instrumental in the discovery of the first schizophrenia gene, but some in the medical profession refused to accept their findings.

He warned that targeted drug treatments were still many years in the future.

However, Mary Weir, chief executive of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship Scotland, welcomed the step forward.

“This is really good news for individuals and families affected by schizophrenia,” she said. “Anything that can help improve people’s quality of life has to be welcomed and this finding appears to be very significant in that regard.

“If it enables treatments to be targeted, that should reduce the likelihood of the negative experiences of anti-psychotic medication.”