Abstract
There is evidence for a strong genetic component in the etiology of schizophrenia,
as demonstrated by family, twin and adoption studies suggesting a heritability of
about 80%. There are several approaches in the search for genetic risk factors such
as linkage or association studies. Additionally, much effort was done in refining
the phenotype including neuropsychology, neurophysiology, imaging or the generation
of animal models. Genes becoming associated with schizophrenia have to be tested for
functionality including e.g. metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, generation
of transgenic mice, analysis of protein-protein interactions, allele-specific RNA
expression analysis, analysis of neuronal and stem cell cultures, as well as post
mortem studies and behavioral studies in rodents. This amount of data requires complex
data analysis. A system's perspective can help in the analysis of the structural and
functional complexity of the brain. New tools will be needed for a more complex and
systemic view. The systems biology approach could be a pivotal tool in understanding
of complex behavior and diseases in future.
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Correspondence
PD Dr. D. Rujescu
Ludwig-Maximilians-University
Nußbaumstr. 7
80336 Munich
Germany
Email: Dan.Rujescu@med.uni-muenchen.de
