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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
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Obtaining High Quality RNA from Single Cell Populations in Human Postmortem Brain Tissue
Published on: August 6, 2009
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Identification of schizophrenia symptom-related gene modules by postmortem brain transcriptome analysis
Kazusa Miyahara1, Mizuki Hino1,2, Risa Shishido2
1Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Translational Psychiatry
|May 4, 2023
Summary
This study identified gene sets linked to schizophrenia symptoms using brain tissue. Findings suggest links to neuroinflammation and opioid pathways, offering potential therapeutic targets for this complex disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with an unclear genetic basis.
- Previous research has not fully explored gene sets contributing to schizophrenia symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify gene sets associated with schizophrenia symptoms.
- To investigate the relationship between genetic background and gene expression in schizophrenia.
- To uncover potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) on prefrontal cortex RNA-seq data from schizophrenia patients and controls.
- Calculation of polygenic risk scores (PRS) for schizophrenia.
- Pathway and upstream regulator analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.
Main Results:
- Three gene modules significantly correlated with clinical characteristics were identified.
- One module showed a significant association with PRS, indicating genetic influence on gene expression.
- Genes in the PRS-associated module overlapped with pathways for multiple sclerosis, neuroinflammation, and opioid use.
- Upstream analysis revealed regulation by lipopolysaccharides and CREB.
Conclusions:
- Identified specific gene sets implicated in schizophrenia symptoms and their regulation.
- Suggests potential roles for neuroinflammation and opioid pathways in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
- Highlights potential novel therapeutic targets for schizophrenia treatment.
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