UK scientists have discovered that a defective gene typically associated with high blood pressure could be linked to several neurodevelopmental conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.
The news comes following a study carried out by experts at Aberdeen University, which found that a gene commonly dubbed ULK4 could effectively be ‘switched off’ and ‘switched on’ in the cells of a mouse brain.
Scientists discovered that when the gene was ‘switched off’ defective cells duplicated themselves in unusual places. Scientists also found a drop in the level of communication between such cells and neighbouring nerve cells.
Yet when ULK4 was ‘switched on’ – and thus able to act normally – such problems disappeared, the University has reported.
“This latest study supports our highly novel findings that the ULK4 gene plays a role in normal brain development, and that a mutation in the gene contributes to the risk of several neurodevelopmental disorders,” said Dr Bing Lang, lead author of the study.
“Schizophrenia and other mental health disorders are multi-faceted and it is extremely complicated to identify which genes, in combination with other environmental factors, contribute to people developing the condition.
“We hope that by fully understanding the roles of ULK4 in schizophrenia, this will pave the way for the development of new drugs to treat this devastating condition.”
Scientists hope that the discovery could lend a helping hand to future research into potential treatments for other neurodevelopmental conditions, too.