Gene Associated with Schizophrenia Linked to Intelligence

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Is your intelligence partly influenced by the same gene that influences susceptibility to schizophrenia? Apparently so, say researchers in the US, because the gene for dysbindin-1, previously implicated in schizophrenia, appears also to influence general human intelligence.

Researchers led by Katherine E. Burdick at the Zucker Hillside Hospital in New York report in the 15 May issue of Human Molecular Genetics that a region on chromosome 6p, previously associated with schizophrenia, may be linked to variation in intelligence.

(For a quick introduction to previous work identifying DTNB1, which encodes dysbindin-1, as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, see the commentary ‘Dysbindin-1 and schizophrenia: from genetics to neuropathology’ in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The full text of the article featured in that commentary is available from PubMed. You can also use PubMed to find a slew of related articles.)

Burdick’s team reports an association between the DTNBP1 genotype and general cognitive ability in two independent cohorts, including 213 individuals with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder and 126 volunteers free of schizophrenic symptoms. The researchers conclude that their data suggest that DTNBP1 genetic variation also influences human intelligence.

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About the Author: With an educational background in philosophy and mathematics, as well as in counselling, Dr Mulhauser enjoys publishing CounsellingResource.com, providing online counselling and therapy services, and spending time with his family.

This article was last reviewed by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on Friday, 28th April 2006. You can leave a response below.

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http://counsellingresource.com/features/2006/04/28/schizophrenia-intelligence/

2 Responses to “Gene Associated with Schizophrenia Linked to Intelligence”

  • avatar image
    Shehla Javed
    1

    Please help me understand schizophrenia. I have been raised as a boy and there is no femininity. I am trying hard to get my loved one back by obliging with everything that is being asked of me. I am also overweight and too dark so i feel insecure about my physique. My partner is good looking and will see other women as more beautiful than me. I am unloved and have been all my life.

  • avatar image
    Gabriella Redi
    2

    Well, looking at what you wrote there, I don’t see any signs of schizophrenia, but you may well have it, I don’t know. It looks like you haven’t been raised in the best family situation..so that could be adding your insecurity/lonliness, etc. For now, I’d concentrate on being yourself and doing things because you want to do it, and it’s the right thing. I know it’s hard to forget about guys, but for now, it looks like a good idea. Then maybe when you get more confident, you’ll be ready.
    P.S. Being dark does not in any way make you less beautiful than anyone else. You’re just different, and that’s a good thing. If you have more consistent, serious problems, I would suggest seeing a therapist/doctor.

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