IDENTIFICATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY GENES IN FAMILIES WITH HIGH RECURRENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS (SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BIPOLAR DISORDER) ORIGINATING FROM AND ITALIAN INBRED POPULATION

Numerous epidemiological studies have shown how in the genesis of Schizophrenia an important role is played by genetic factors seen to give rise to greater susceptibilty to the disorder; this disorder has in fact been estimated to have a hereditability of 80%. Bearing in mind the clinical epidemiological observation of more frequent occurrence of the psychiatric disorder in the population of Chioggia (2%) than in the surrounding territory (1%), we intend to undertake research in a large sample of families with recurrent Schizophrenia, Schizo-affective Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, to study linkage on the entire genome, using highly polymorphous DNA markers (SNPs). This research will be carried out in collaboration with the Centro di Salute Mentale (Mental Health Centre) in Chioggia, which covers an area with a sample of over 400 affected patients. We wish to point out that for this type of research the choice of sample is a strategic one, as populations considered to have been isolated geographically and culturally in the past constitute the most suitable subject for a genetic study, in that there is less genetic variation and a more homogeneous environment. The aim of this research, therefore, is to obtain information on the loci and susceptibility genes for this complex trait. The feed-back from such a study would permit progress in understanding Schizophrenia and its associated disorders in their genetic context, disorders which, according to WHO data, are among the top ten causes of disability in the population age range of 15 to 44 years.