Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
11:20
Osmotic Avoidance in Caenorhabditis elegans: Synaptic Function of Two Genes, Orthologues of Human NRXN1 and NLGN1, as Candidates for Autism
Published on: December 11, 2009
Failure to replicate the association between NRG1 and schizophrenia using Japanese large sample
Masashi Ikeda1, Nagahide Takahashi, Shinichi Saito
1Department of Psychiatry, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan. ikeda-ma@fujita-hu.ac.jp
Schizophrenia Research
|February 20, 2008
Summary
Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) was investigated as a schizophrenia susceptibility gene in Japanese populations. A two-stage analysis found no significant association, suggesting NRG1 is unlikely to contribute to schizophrenia risk in this population.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Population Studies
Background:
- Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) has been implicated in schizophrenia susceptibility, but previous findings are inconsistent.
- Large-scale analyses are needed to confirm the association between NRG1 and schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the association between NRG1 and schizophrenia in the Japanese population using a gene-based association approach.
- To investigate specific regions of NRG1, including the HAP(ICE) region and exon regions.
Main Methods:
- A two-stage association study design was employed.
- The study involved screening samples (1126 cases, 1022 controls) and confirmation samples (1262 cases, 1172 controls, 166 trios).
- Sixty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined, including tagging SNPs, previously reported SNPs, and mutation scan SNPs.
Main Results:
- One haplotype showed a significant association in the initial screening (Global P-value=0.0244, uncorrected).
- This association could not be replicated in independent confirmation samples.
- No sufficient evidence for association was found even after imputing ungenotyped SNPs.
Conclusions:
- NRG1 is unlikely to be a major susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in the Japanese population.
- The study highlights the importance of two-stage analyses with large sample sizes for identifying susceptibility genes in common diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is: