Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Age at onset of schizophrenia: interaction between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dopamine D3 receptor gene
David Gourion1, Celine Goldberger, Sophie Leroy
1INSERM (E117), Centre Paul Broca, 75014 Paris, France.
Abstract:
One of the main features of schizophrenia is its age at onset in early adulthood. Dopaminergic dysregulation is the most documented neurobiological factor that may be involved in triggering schizophrenia. Recent findings on neurodevelopmental processes show that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor plays a critical role in the development of mesolimbic dopaminergic-related systems and regulates the expression of dopamine D3 receptors. In this study, we examine whether an interaction between dopamine D3 receptors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene variants influences age at onset in patients with schizophrenia. Our findings show that this gene-gene interaction was significantly associated with an earlier emergence of psychosis by 3 years.
Related Concept Videos
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu
