Confirmation of region-specific patterns of gene expression in the human brain.

The human brain is divided and categorized in different ways, yet a molecular genetic approach to region specificity does not exist. Using data from 12 healthy control subjects across 18 brain regions, we performed a microarray analysis using both the HG-U133AB and HG-U133 plus 2 chips for each subject to determine molecular targets showing region specificity. Using a previously published data as our guide, we confirm SIX3, GPR6, SH3RF2, and hSyn as molecular markers of the nucleus accumbens and gamma-aminobutyric-acid A receptor alpha-6, Nik-related kinase, and eomesodermin as molecular markers of the cerebellum.

The SNAP-25 gene may be associated with clinical response and weight gain in antipsychotic treatment of schizophrenia.

The synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) is an essential component of the core complex that mediates presynaptic vesicle trafficking. Thus, SNAP-25 is directly involved in the release of neurotransmitters. Quantitative alterations of SNAP-25 expression have been reported in brain regions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of schizophrenics and in haloperidol treated rats.

Association between schizophrenia and the syntaxin 1A gene.

Background: Both microarray and candidate molecule studies have demonstrated that protein and mRNA expression of syntaxin and other genes involved in synaptic function are altered in the cerebral cortex of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: Genetic association between polymorphic markers in the syntaxin 1A gene and schizophrenia was assessed in a matched case-control sample of 192 pairs, and in an independent sample of 238 nuclear families.

Results: In the family-based sample, a significant genetic association was found between schizophrenia and one of the four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tested: an intron 7 SNP (transmission disequilibrium test [TDT] chi(2) = 5.

NOTCH4 gene haplotype is associated with schizophrenia in African Americans.

Background: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the NOTCH4 gene and schizophrenia in African American (AA) and European American (EA) subjects.

Methods: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the NOTCH4 locus were genotyped in 123 AA schizophrenia patients, 223 EA schizophrenia patients, 85 AA healthy control subjects, and 211 EA healthy control subjects. The specific markers studied were -1725T/G and -25T/C.