Question:
Israeli scientists herald breakthrough in schizophrenia research?
Answer:
Scientists from Jerusalem-based IDgene Pharmaceuticals Monday announced a
breakthrough in the study of schizophrenia, heralding the discovery of a
gene that plays a significant role in the disease's development.
As will be published in the December issue of the American Journal of Human
Genetics, the company has proved an association between the gene coding for
an enzyme, catechol-O-methyltransferase - COMT - and the development of
schizophrenia.
Spearheaded by Dr. Ariel Darvasi, IDgene's CEO and a senior lecturer at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the study is one of the most dramatic
advances ever in the study of the disease, which affects around 1 percent
of the world's population.
"The genetic basis of schizophrenia is poorly understood and the data
presented to date has been mostly inconclusive," Darvasi commented in a
statement. "IDgene has successfully produced the most statistically
significant results ever reported in schizophrenia or in any other common
polygenic disease [a disorder linked to several genes]," he added.
"The study shows that the COMT gene may account for more than 20 percent of
all schizophrenia patients," Darvasi said, noting that the proof-of-concept
demonstrates the efficacy of IDgene's gene discovery platform.
Schizophrenia patients lose interest in their surroundings, become
emotionally numb and sometimes imagine sights or voices that do not exist
in reality. The disease, believed to be caused by a combination of
environmental and genetic factors, brings profound suffering to both
patients and their relatives.
The difficulty in locating the genes associated with schizophrenia derives
from the fact that a number of different genes affect its development.
Darvasi says IDgene's research indicates that COMT "is one of the most
significant factors" in the disease's development. However, the gene cannot
explain all schizophrenia cases.
The connection between the gene and schizophrenia was discovered by
comparing genes of sick and healthy people - all Jews of Ashkenazi origin.
Darvasi and many other scientists regard Ashkenazis as a genetically
homogenous group and it is therefore easier to trace disease genes in such
individuals.
IDgene is expected shortly to report additional discoveries of disease
susceptibility genes, as well as genes responsible for variation in drug
response, Darvasi added.
This study was the largest ever reported on schizophrenia and was the
result of a nation-wide collaboration that included Hebrew University and
most of the psychiatric medical centers in Israel, the company's statement
said.
Interesting. I am sure it is something like a gene and I believe it is possible to go
through your whole life WITH the gene and not get schizophrenia, and that
maybe it requires a "trigger" like maybe a severe emotional trauma, or
perhaps a recreational drug like LSD to activate it.
In my case, it was literally overnight, caused by LSD, but there must have
been "something" latent in my brain to activate it.
I think the gene, or whatever it is, once activated causes huge activity in
the mind, not just in the sense of delusions and voices, but it seems to be
quite common for someone who develops schizophrenia to start reading heavy
religious or meaningful books and start on a quest for truth. Obsession
with deep things like religion and truths seems fairly common amongst those
with schizophrenia.
It is also my opinion that it opens some kind of gateway to other world
experiences and that it is quite possible to tune into existences not based
on "normal" criteria. Like you might feel an affinity or understanding with
trees or birds, or you might hear passages in music from another source.
Synchronicity also seems to be very common. And if not subdued by drugs,
then telepathy, sixth sense, timing, dreams, all that kind of stuff develops
a very real truth and I honestly don't think "ALL" we experience in the
sense of voices, visions, delusions etc are unfounded. I really sincerely
believe that SOME of what we experience is beyond the comprehension of the
common man, but comes from a source far more developed than anyone on this
planet.
I believe whatever gave life to this Universe and it's inhabitant do not
want to be know. I think I will respect that wish.
