Changes in brain gene expression in psychiatric illness: mRNA differential display provides some clues

The 20th century has witnessed a progressive increase in our understanding of brain structure, organisation and function and now includes knowledge at the macromolecular and ionic levels. Investigations of such diverse functions as cognition, memory and mood, performed mainly in whole animal studies, are now advancing rapidly with the application of modern molecular biological techniques. In this article we consider the contribution of mRNA differential display to the analysis of altered gene expression in vitro and in vivo. The role that this technique may play in the identification of genes involved in the aetiology of psychiatric disorders and their treatment is discussed.