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Incorrectly cleaved protein leads to schizophrenia
Date:7/14/2008

Leuven, Belgium Schizophrenia is a disease that strikes an average of 4000 Belgians every year. The causes of this psychiatric disorder are not yet clear. But now, VIB researchers connected to the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven have discovered that a disturbed cleavage of the Nrg-1 protein lies at the basis of the development of the disease. Greater understanding of this molecular process is a first step toward improved diagnosis and more effective treatment of schizophrenia and other related disorders.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that appears in about 1 out of every 250 Belgians, manifesting most often between the ages of 15 and 30. This disease of the brain seriously disturbs the person's thinking, emotional life, and behavior. The disease is characterized by episodes of psychotic symptoms: abnormal ideas and changes in perception, behavior and thinking occur, through which it is difficult to understand how the person feels. Typical symptoms of the disorder are: delusions, hallucinations, chaotic behavior, etc.

The origin of the disease

Up to now, no clear cause of schizophrenia has been found, although hereditary factors certainly play a role in the development of the disease. In addition, living and working conditions determine the disorder's progress. Research into schizophrenia has also shown that there is a disturbance of the activity of the frontal and temporal areas in the brain, which is connected with a disturbed equilibrium among the substances (proteins) that are needed for neuronal functioning. Schizophrenia is treated using anti-psychotic and neuroleptic medicines.

Research leads to new insights into the molecular causes

The molecular story hidden behind schizophrenia is still not at all clear. However, previous scientific studies have indeed shown that a disturbed functioning of the Nrg-1 protein is linked to the development of the disease. Now, the recen
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Contact: Joke Comijn
info@vib.be
329-244-6611
VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)
Source:Eurekalert

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