WINTER/SPRING Volume 3
2004 Alabama Edition
 
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UAB Search for a Schizophrenia Gene

Elenore Carter* knows schizophrenia first hand. She has a brother in Detroit with the disease, another one here in Jefferson County. And her son has also been diagnosed with schizophrenia. You could say I made the first diagnosis of my son's illness, having seen the same kinds of symptoms in my brothers, she says. Having seen the effects of schizophrenia so often in my brothers, I know when my son is facing
a crisis and can quickly get him to his doctor for treatment.

Seeing multiple cases of schizophrenia in one family, particularly an African-American family, is not unusual, say researchers at UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham). UAB is leading a national research effort looking for a genetic link to schizophrenia in African-Americans. The project is the most comprehensive study of schizophrenia in African-Americans ever conducted, and the researchers hope to gain new insight into the genetic underpinnings of the condition. The five-year; $21 million study, Project Among African Americans to Explore Risks for Schizophrenia (PAARTNERS), is funded by the National Institute of Mental
Health (NIMH}, one of the National Institutes of Health.

Schizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all
of whom have at least one family member diagnosed with schizophrenia. UAB hopes to enroll 900 individuals from approximately 200 families locally. The UAB team will oversee the data collection and analysis of all members diagnosed with schizophrenia. The UAB team will oversee the data collection and analysis of all eight sites. Persons interested in participating can learn more about the study by calling (205) 934-2484. Or, visit the PAARTNERS web site: www.soph.uab.edu/paartners.

Carter and her family are participating in the PAARTNERS study. I've got two grandchildren, she says. I hope and pray that they don't develop this disease, but if they do, I want to do what I can to help doctors find good treatments or even a cure. I don't want other parents to have to go through what I have gone through. Dr. Jacqueline Feldman, director of the UAB division of public psychiatry says one of the worst things facing people with schizophrenia is the stigma and isolation they face due to the public's poor understanding of the illness.


Families that have a schizophrenia patient also face this stigmatization as well as many obstacles and stresses when dealing with a family member with this disease, she says. We intend to educate the public about schizophrenia, and let them know that successfully treated persons with schizophrenia can reside in their communities. We also want to help families receive the support services they need to cope with the stresses in having a person with this disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all
er a given person will or will not develop the disorder.

Recent discoveries in the genetics of schizophrenia offer us an unprecedented opportunity for progress in reducing the burden of this illness. For the first time, we have at least half a dozen vulnerability genes to explore, said NIMH Director Thomas Insel, M.D.

The NIMH says the outlook for people with schizophrenia has improved over the last 25 years. Although no totally effective therapy has yet been devised, it is important to remember that many people with the illness improve enough to lead independent, satisfying lives. Research projects such as UAB's PAARTNERS study play a key role in helping patients to lead fulfilling, quality lives.

*Not her real name.

 

 

 

 help families receive the support services they need to cope with the stresses in having a person with this disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all

The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all
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The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all
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 help families receive the support services they need to cope with the stresses in having a person with this disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all
 
   
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SITE DESIGNED BY:

help families receive the support services they need to cope with the stresses in having a person with this disease.

The National Institute of Mental Health is spearheading other research projects aimed at identifying genetic factors in schizophrenia. It is believed that multiple genes are involved in establishing whether or not an individual is potentially likely to develop the disorder. However, it is not yet understood how that genetic predisposition is transmitted, and it cannot yet be accurately predicted whethizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection, says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health at UAB and co-principal investigator of the study. If we can identify a schizophrenia susceptibility gene and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.

According to NIMH, people who have a dose relative with schizophrenia are more likely to develop the disorder than are people who have no relatives with the illness. For example, an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia has the highest risk 40 to 50 percent of developing the illness. A child whose parent has schizophrenia has about a 10 percent chance. By comparison, the risk of schizophrenia in the general population is about 1 percent Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

The PAARTNERS study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout
the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 African-American participants, all