New Genetic Clues to Schizophrenia Discovered ( Part 1)

Ancient documents identify diseases with the symptoms of schizophrenia as far back as Egypt in the second millennium before Christ, and the condition has probably followed mankind through history. The word schizophrenia is less than 100 years old and the modern identification of the disease was first done by Dr. Emile Kraepelin in 1887 as a discrete mental illness. The exact cause of schizophrenia, as with other mental disorders has eluded research for years, but researchers believe that they are moving closer to the causes and the possibility of an effective treatment for the condition.
Schizophrenia is a not a single problem but a group of serious brain disorders. It can range from mild to severe and some people with the disease may be able to function well in daily life, while others need specialized, intensive care. Schizophrenia is not the same as a split personality or multiple personalities. The word does mean "split-mind," but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. The disease usually appears in late adolescence or early adulthood, is more common in men than women, and even with effective treatment remains a chronic condition. Approximately 1% of the population suffers from schizophrenia.
Those with schizophrenia interpret reality abnormally and usually suffer from hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking and behavior. They will usually withdraw into their own realm marked by psychosis. Schizophrenia can appear suddenly or develop gradually over months and may be unnoticeable at first.
In independent international studies, the same rare genetic variations in patients with schizophrenia were identified. The research indicates that three rare deletions in the human genome appear to increase the risk of developing the brain condition. Dr. Pamela Sklar, corresponding author of a paper appearing in Nature and director of genetics at Harvard Medical School, Boston said "These findings give a great deal of hope, for individuals with schizophrenia and their families, loved ones, and caregivers, that we're moving towards an under standing of the cause of the disease."