Jumping genes cause schizophrenia

The DNA sequence called retrotansporson, also known as "Jumping genes" , may be related to the development of schizophrenia. Discover it .

 

According to an investigation carried out by a group of scientists from the department of Molecular Psychiatry of the University of Tokyo , the transposons, or jumping genes , are characterized by changing the position in neuronal cells, which was defined as the major cause of schizophrenia.

 

During the investigation the behavior of the brain of 48 patients with schizophrenia was studied, where they discovered that the jumping genes they have excessive mobility that can be caused by hereditary or environmental situations, according to experts that can explain how certain mental illnesses develop.

 

Jumping genes associated with the environment

 

The DNA sequence plays a very important role, since it is in charge of regulating the genes, and the transposon, called L1, contains a sequence focused on responding to the environment and regulating "companion" genes.

 

The transposons are close to those genes responsible for the development and functioning of the brain, which alters the activity and how they respond to the environment.

 

According to the authors, this research was not specifically aimed at schizophrenia, since patients with conditions such as bipolar disorder and severe depression were also studied.

 

However, the results between the link of jumping genes s and schizophrenia was significant, which showed that environmental factors increase the risk of developing this disease, especially during neonatal periods. What do you think?


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