Chromatin from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as Biomarkers for Epigenetic Abnormalities in Schizophrenia. (6th July 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gavin, David P.; Sharma, Rajiv P.
• Other Names: Manev Hari Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Cardiovascular psychiatry and neurology. Volume 2009(2009)
• Publication Date: 2009-07-06
• Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Psychological aspects; Nervous system -- Diseases; Neurology; Psychiatry; Cardiovascular Diseases -- complications; Nervous System Diseases -- complications; Mental Disorders -- complications; Cardiology; Neurology; Psychiatry; Cardiovascular Diseases -- complications -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases -- complications -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- complications -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.81
• DOI: 10.1155/2009/409562
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-0163

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Studies have implicated abnormalities in epigenetic gene regulation in schizophrenia. Presentation . We hypothesize that identifying abnormalities in chromatin structure and the epigenetic machinery in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from schizophrenia patients could (a) help characterize a subset of schizophrenia patients and (b) lead to targeted pharmacological interventions. Testing . Investigate the relationship between clinical symptoms, demographics, hormonal fluctuations, substance abuse, disease characteristics across the major mental illnesses, and epigenetic parameters in PBMC. In addition, examine the effects of individual antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, as well as experimental agents both as clinically prescribed as well as in cultured PBMC to understand the effects of these agents on chromatin. Implications . If PBMC could serve as a reliable model of overall epigenetic mechanisms then this could lead to a "biomarker" approach to revealing pathological chromatin state in schizophrenia. This approach may provide an informed method for selecting chromatin modifying agents for psychiatric disorders.