Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Related fields do our research

Science has nominated the Breakthroughs of 2005, and better understanding of genetics of brain disorders has been a runner-up: see here. This is very exciting news, very possibly of relevance to PDS. The findings provide us with a constructive framework within which to think and then adapt to fit PDS. Science says: Much of the new work suggests that genetic miscues, rather than causing neuropsychiatric disorders outright, alter brain biology in the womb in a way that predisposes us to problems later in life. A better understanding of how this happens may help reduce the risks. It is very likely that PDS fits into this category.

There are two reasons for better progress in neighbouring areas. Much more money is going into these areas (dyslexia, schizophrenia or Tourette syndrome), and research is generally more scientific than in PDS and not as laden with foggy swampland of psycho-stuff for several reasons. I also think that it is a scandal that so much money has gone into other brain disorders and so little into PDS. We need to shout louder when it comes to getting a share of the research money!!! Remember when you shout, you don't stutter!!! So start shouting! :-)

Here is the description of Science:
Miswiring the Brain
Although dozens of genes have been linked to brain disorders in recent years, connecting the dots between genetics and abnormal behavior has been anything but child's play. This year, however, researchers gained clues about the mechanisms of diverse disorders including schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, and dyslexia. A common theme seems to be emerging: Many of the genes involved appear to play a role in brain development.

In November, two reports put meat on the bones of previous claims that variants of a gene called DISC1 increase the risk of schizophrenia. One research team found that inhibiting DISC1 activity in mice alters brain development, causing subtle abnormalities in the animals' cerebral cortices similar to those seen in postmortem brains from schizophrenia patients. Another team linked DISC1 to molecular signaling pathways important in brain development and in regulating neurotransmitter levels, which are often out of whack in psychiatric patients.

In October, researchers described a rare genetic defect that appears to cause Tourette syndrome. The mutation likely causes only a tiny fraction of Tourette cases, but its discovery may be an important lead. One gene that's disrupted, SLITRK1, influences branch formation by neurons and is active during development in brain regions thought to be altered in Tourette syndrome and other conditions, including obsessive compulsive disorder. New research also links developmental genes to dyslexia, identifying three genes--KIAA0319, DCDC2, and ROBO1--that may cause faulty wiring in neural circuits involved in reading.

Much of the new work suggests that genetic miscues, rather than causing neuropsychiatric disorders outright, alter brain biology in the womb in a way that predisposes us to problems later in life. A better understanding of how this happens may help reduce the risks. (Science website)

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