Schizophrenia, a debilitating disease that affects 1% of the world's population, is thought to be due to a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The neurochemical basis for schizophrenia has long been thought to be a defect in the dopamine neurotransmitter system. Recent research has focused on an elevation in the density of dopamine D2 receptor which has been found in autopsy samples and in one recent positron emission tomography study. Based upon the recent availability of rat dopamine D2 receptor cDNA sequences, we have designed polymerase chain reaction primers to amplify segments of both rat and human dopamine receptor genes. Using these amplified DNA segments as probes for screening cDNA libraries and identifying restriction fragment length polymorphisms, we plan to subject the dopamine receptor hypothesis to intense scrutiny, and determine the inheritance pattern of putative schizophrenia genes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH045908-02
Application #
3385778
Study Section
Psychopathology and Clinical Biology Research Review Committee (PCB)
Project Start
1990-04-01
Project End
1993-03-31
Budget Start
1991-04-01
Budget End
1992-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Duarte
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
91010
Comings, D E; Muhleman, D; Ahn, C et al. (1994) The dopamine D2 receptor gene: a genetic risk factor in substance abuse. Drug Alcohol Depend 34:175-80
Comings, D E; Flanagan, S D; Dietz, G et al. (1993) The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) as a major gene in obesity and height. Biochem Med Metab Biol 50:176-85
Persico, A M; O'Hara, B F; Farmer, S et al. (1993) Dopamine D2 receptor gene Taq I 'A' locus map including 'A4' variant: relevance for alcoholism and drug abuse. Drug Alcohol Depend 31:229-34
Comings, D E; Comings, B G; Muhleman, D et al. (1991) The dopamine D2 receptor locus as a modifying gene in neuropsychiatric disorders. JAMA 266:1793-800