About the Study
by Neil B. Edwards, MD
The National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is funding our study, which is being conducted
at seven
other university sites in addition to our site, The University of Tennessee,
Memphis.
We are trying
to learn more about how genes affect the development of schizophrenia.
Why Study Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia
is one of the most devastating diseases known to mankind. It affects close
to
1% of the
population of any nation or ethnic group studied. Two thirds of
schizophrenics are
either
partially or totally disabled. Disability usually begins in late teens or
early twenties and
continues the
rest of the person's life. Between 5 and 10% of schizophrenics (depending
on
the study
reviewed) will commit suicide in their lifetime. Besides suicide,
schizophrenics tend
to die
earlier. New medications are showing considerable promise for
treatment,
which is more
effective the earlier in the person's life that treatment is started.
Why Study Genetics in
Schizophrenia?
Many studies have shown that
inheritance is a powerful factor in schizophrenia. These studies
have been
done in most nations and in all ethnic groups. In twin studies, identical
twins reared
apart have a
50% concordance rate for schizophrenia. Infants adopted at birth from
schizophrenic
mothers,
later in life have a 15-20% rate of schizophrenia. Infants adopted at
birth from two
schizophrenic
parents, later in life have a 50% rate of schizophrenia.
When we know what genes have an influence over a disease, we can predict who, in
a
population at
risk, will develop the disease. We can also then target medications that
will
alter the
production of the critical genes and thus effectively treat or even prevent the
disease.
Why Study Genetics in
Schizophrenia in African Americans?
The most important reason is that the genetics of schizophrenia has been studied
in other
groups but
not specifically in African Americans. There is considerable evidence from
clinical
studies that
schizophrenia may be over-diagnosed in African Americans. Knowing the
genes
that
influence the disease can help to rectify this problem. African Americans
make up 12%
of the U.S.
population. When they are studied as part of the general population, any
differences
in the their
genetic makeup may be "washed out" by the averaging effect.
Who Will Be Studied?
1260 African American families with
at least one schizophrenic family member will be studied.
Most will
have two schizophrenic family members. Participants will be recruited at
the following
academic
sites:
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
University of
Alabama, Birmingham
University of
Mississippi, Jackson
Morehouse
School of Medicine, Atlanta
Medical
University of South Carolina, Charleston
Duke
University, Durham
University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
University of
Pittsburgh
The University of Tennessee will be responsible for recruiting a total of 615
subjects.
How Long is the Study Period?
Five years. We are into the
eighth month of the first year as of May 15, 2003.
From Where Will Subjects be
Recruited at The University of Tennessee (UT)?
-The faculty outpatient
practice
-The
residents' outpatient practice
-The
Regional Medical Center
-The
Bowld UT Hospital
-VAMC,
Memphis (Veterans Administration Medical Center)
-MMHI
-Other
hospitals
-Community mental health centers
What Procedures will be Done?
-Diagnostic
Interview
-Family Interview
-Neurocognitive Tests
-Blood Draw
What Happens to the Blood?
- 1/2 of the sample goes to UAB for genetic analysis
- 1/2 goes to NIMH repository at Rutgers University in New Jersey. At this
site, the
samples are stored for future use by researchers interested in schizophrenia.
Is All of this
Confidential?
All subjects' names are
kept off any data and the blood samples. A study number is
assigned. No names are carried forward on any data or blood samples.