We learned from this week’s readings that the prefrontal cortex is a very important brain structure for working memory. Its activity is associated with the maintenance of information (i.e. goal related information), associative memory retrieval, increased memory load, and central executive functions. Studies have shown that there is a decrease in brain volume and the amount of connections in the frontal lobes of those who suffer from depression, drug addicts, and incarcerated individuals. Studies have also shown that Schizophrenic patients have some prefrontal cortex deficit.
Many famous artists and author like Jack Kerouac and Van Gogh suffered had schizophrenia. A new study has found a link between schizophrenic patients and a gene known as DARPP-32. This gene is said to enhance thinking by improving the way in which the prefrontal cortex processes information. DARPP-32 is also thought to control a nerve circuit involved in schizophrenia. This circuit connects the prefrontal cortex with the striatum which is involved in the planning of movement and executive functions. The effect on these connections causes schizophrenic patients to have impaired working memories and difficulty learning. Dr Daniel Weinberger from the US National Institute of Health (NIH) said “Our results raise the question of whether a gene variant favored by evolution, that would normally confer advantage, may translate into a disadvantage if the prefrontal cortex is impaired, as in schizophrenia.”
I believe this research is groundbreaking because it shows a specific gene that is correlated with schizophrenia. This new information can lead to the installment of genetic counseling programs for those who carry this trait. This program can decrease the amount of people suffering from schizophrenia in the future. Future research can also aim to find a way to silence this trait or repair the pathways in order to improve schizophrenic patients’ way of life by giving them the opportunity to regain their working memories and improve their ability to learn.
Many famous artists and author like Jack Kerouac and Van Gogh suffered had schizophrenia. A new study has found a link between schizophrenic patients and a gene known as DARPP-32. This gene is said to enhance thinking by improving the way in which the prefrontal cortex processes information. DARPP-32 is also thought to control a nerve circuit involved in schizophrenia. This circuit connects the prefrontal cortex with the striatum which is involved in the planning of movement and executive functions. The effect on these connections causes schizophrenic patients to have impaired working memories and difficulty learning. Dr Daniel Weinberger from the US National Institute of Health (NIH) said “Our results raise the question of whether a gene variant favored by evolution, that would normally confer advantage, may translate into a disadvantage if the prefrontal cortex is impaired, as in schizophrenia.”
I believe this research is groundbreaking because it shows a specific gene that is correlated with schizophrenia. This new information can lead to the installment of genetic counseling programs for those who carry this trait. This program can decrease the amount of people suffering from schizophrenia in the future. Future research can also aim to find a way to silence this trait or repair the pathways in order to improve schizophrenic patients’ way of life by giving them the opportunity to regain their working memories and improve their ability to learn.
NOTE: The picture on the right was painted by Craig Finn who suffers from Schizophrenia.
1 comment:
Very interesting! You are right that isolating the cause of such a condition as Schizophrenia would be pivotal in identification and treatment of the disorder. Unfortunately, Schizophrenia is not a disease, it is a collection of symptoms with a name attached. Thus, many efforts (including this one you describe) to try to identify a singular cause have come up empty. There probably is not a singular cause but instead it is some interaction between genetic make-up, the environment and development. Very very complicated...
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