Statistical modeling in case-control real-time RT-PCR assays, for identification of differentially expressed genes in schizophrenia.

Aspects of experimental design, statistical modeling, and statistical inference in case-control real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays are discussed. The background is mRNA expression data from an investigation of genes previously suggested to be schizophrenia related. Real-time RT-PCR allows large samples of individuals.

Serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) and schizophrenia: examination of possible medication and genetic influences on expression levels.

The serotonin receptor 2C (HTR2C) gene is of interest in schizophrenia due to its involvement in regulation of dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex. We have previously reported a decreased expression of HTR2C mRNA levels in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia patients. The variability in mRNA expression levels is evaluated here more closely in relation to promoter haplotypes and neuroleptic treatment received by the patients.

Decrease of serotonin receptor 2C in schizophrenia brains identified by high-resolution mRNA expression analysis.

Background: RNA expression profiling can provide hints for the selection of candidate susceptibility genes, for formulation of hypotheses about the development of a disease, and/or for selection of candidate gene targets for novel drug development. We measured messenger RNA expression levels of 16 candidate genes in brain samples from 55 schizophrenia patients and 55 controls. This is the largest sample so far used to identify genes differentially expressed in schizophrenia brains.

Increased monoamine oxidase messenger RNA expression levels in frontal cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in the industrialised world. The two monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes, monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB), are important in the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters. AD and ageing have been shown to increase enzyme activity for both MAOA and MAOB.

Analysis of gene expression in the rat hippocampus using Real Time PCR reveals high inter-individual variation in mRNA expression levels.

In mammals, gene transcription is a step subjected to tight regulation mechanisms. In fact, changes in mRNA levels in the central nervous system (CNS) can account for numerous phenotypic differences in brain function. We performed a high-resolution analysis of mRNA expression levels for 37 genes selected from a normal rat hippocampus cDNA library.