Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Large study finds genetic 'overlap' between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Semel Web Manager — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Knowledge about the biological origin of diseases like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions is critical to improving diagnosis and treatment. In an effort to push the field forward, three UCLA researchers, along with scientists from more than 20 countries, have been taking part in one of the largest collaborative efforts in psychiatry — a genome-wide study involving more than 50,000 study participants aimed at identifying which genetic variants make people susceptible to psychiatric disease.

Author:

Mark Wheeler

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Vast Gene Study Yields Insights on Alzheimer’s

System Admin — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/health/04alzheimer.html?_r=1&hpw

Nelson Freimer, professor of psychiatry and director of UCLA’s center for neurobehavioral genetics, was quoted in the April 3 New York Times about an Alzheimer’s study that discovered five genes offering new clues to why the disease strikes and how it progresses.

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Autism Risk Rises in Closely Spaced Pregnancies, Study Finds

System Admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40990120/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

Rita Cantor, professor of human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine and professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute, commented Jan. 10 in an MSNBC.com story on new research that suggests that autism risk triples when a child is conceived within 12 months of his or her next older sibling. The report also appeared on ThirdAge.com and the (Taiwanese) Liberty Times.

“Autism Risk Rises in Closely Spaced Pregnancies, Study Finds” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40990120/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
“Autism Risk: Risk of Autism Rises in Closely Spaced Pregnancies” http://www.thirdage.com/news/autism-risk-risk-autism-rises-closely-space...
The Liberty Times (Taiwan) http://iservice.libertytimes.com.tw/liveNews/news.php?no=452119&type=%E5...

Center for Autism Research & Treatment

Mapping Huntington's Disease

System Admin — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/05/10/2299317.aspx

Dr. X. William Yang, associate professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute and a member of the Brain Research Institute, appeared May 10 in an NBC Nightly News segment about his identification of a molecular switch that prevents the development of Huntington’s disease in mice. Scientific correspondent Robert Bazell explored how the UCLA discovery may show similar promise in people suffering from the devastating genetic disorder. The report also aired on four NBC affiliates.

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Andrea Doss

Andrea Doss — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:13:31 +0000

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Age of Parents Linked to Increased Risk of Autism

System Admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2010/02/09/age-of-parents-linked-to-increas...

Dr. Stan Nelson, professor of human genetics, appeared Feb. 9 as a guest on KPCC 89.3 FM’s “AirTalk” to explore a new study linking parents’ age to a higher risk for autism.

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

News and Announcements from the Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

System Admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:01:24 +0000

News and Announcements

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

UCLA scientists find molecular switch to prevent Huntington's disease in mice

Semel Web Manager — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:00:00 +0000

UCLA scientists have identified a molecular switch that prevents Huntington's disease from developing in mice. Published in the Dec. 24 edition of the journal Neuron, the discovery suggests a new approach to treating the genetic disorder, which ultimately leads to death in as little as 10 years.

Author:

Elaine Schmidt

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

'Molecular Switch' Could Prevent Huntington's Disease

System Admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Article link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8428051.stm

The Los Angeles Times’ health blog reported Jan. 1, KPCC 89.3 FM reported Dec. 30, the Daily Breeze, KTLA-Channel 5, KABC-Channel 7, KCAL-Channel 9 reported Dec. 28, and BBC News and HealthDay News reported Dec. 24 on a UCLA study identifying a molecular switch that can prevent Huntington's disease from developing in mice. Lead author Dr. X.

Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics

Why can't chimps speak? Study links evolution of single gene to human capacity for language

Semel Web Manager — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

If humans are genetically related to chimps, why did our brains develop the innate ability for language and speech while theirs did not?

Scientists suspect that part of the answer to the mystery lies in a gene called FOXP2. When mutated, FOXP2 can disrupt speech and language in humans. Now, a UCLA–Emory University study reveals major differences between how the human and chimp versions of FOXP2 work, perhaps explaining why language is unique to humans. Published Nov. 11 in the online edition of the journal Nature, the findings provide insight into the evolution of the human brain and may point to possible drug targets for human disorders characterized by speech disruption, such as autism and schizophrenia.

Author:

Elaine Schmidt

Section on Psychosis