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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Strategy to Identify de Novo Mutations in Common Disorders such as Autism and Schizophrenia
Published on: June 15, 2011
[Submicroscopic chromosomal anomalies as a cause of schizophrenia]
Thomas Hansen1, Andrés Ingason, Thomas Werge
1Forskningsinstitut for Biologisk Psykiatri, Psykiatrisk Center Sct. Hans, DK-4000 Roskilde.
Abstract:
Although the inheritable nature of schizophrenia is well-established, the genetic underpinnings remain largely hidden. Recently, two independent research groups identified microdeletions conferring high risk of schizophrenia. The deletions are recurrent in nature and offer an explanation to the apparently stable prevalence of the disease, despite reduced fecundity in patients. The findings may lead to development of diagnostic tools and construction of new disease models to help the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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