Science: new research provides new clues for the genetic origin of schizophrenia

February 2, 2020 / Biovalley BIOON / - -- in a new study, researchers from Washington University, Columbia University and the University of Cape Town in South Africa and other research institutions for the first time conducted a genetic analysis of schizophrenia in the African ancestral population, the South African Khosa The relevant research results were published in the Science Journal on January 31, 2020, and the paper title is "genetics of schizophrenia in the South African Xhosa" Picture from science, 2020, DOI: 10.1126/science.aay8833 The study was carried out in the Kossa population, because Africa is the birthplace of all people, but the African ancestral population is rarely the focus of genetic research (there is no evidence of a high risk of schizophrenia in the Kosa population) The researchers analyzed blood samples taken from 909 people diagnosed with schizophrenia and 917 controls living in South Africa Their study showed that people with schizophrenia were more likely to carry rare, damaging genetic mutations than controls without schizophrenia These rare mutations are also more likely to affect brain and synaptic function Synapses coordinate the communication between neurons, and the distribution and stimulation of synapses are ultimately responsible for learning, memory and brain function The researchers say the genes and pathways identified in the study help to understand the risk of schizophrenia in all populations Further research in the African population may also provide potential mechanisms for designing more effective treatments Dr Ezra susser, co-author of the paper and professor of epidemiology and psychiatry at Irvine Medical Center at Columbia University, said, "only a few DNA mutations that disrupt synaptic function may have a significant impact on schizophrenia Although these variations vary from person to person, we believe they may disrupt neural pathways and increase the risk of schizophrenia " The relative lack of genetic research in Africa has left a big gap in understanding human genetics After the origin of the first batch of modern humans, nearly 99% of human evolution took place in Africa before human migration from Africa to Europe and Asia 50000 to 100000 years ago Given the lack of research in Africa, many generations of human genetic history have been missed in our understanding of human adaptation and human diseases Studies of African ancestors, such as the Kosa, will provide more diverse background DNA, which can help identify truly rare mutations (BIOON Com) reference: 1 S gulsuner El Al Genetics of schizophrenia in the South African Xhosa Science, 2020, DOI: 10.1126/science.aay8833 2 New includes into the genetic origins of schizophrenia https://mediaexpress.com/news/2020-01-includes-genetic-schizophrenia.html