Healt

Newly Identified Area of the “Dark Genome” Provides Insights for Treating Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Published

on



Researchers from Cambridge University have identified new proteins derived from the ‘dark genome’—the DNA regions outside conventional genes—that can differentiate between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This breakthrough stems from research revealing that over 248,000 regions of the dark genome produce proteins linked to various diseases, indicating that the traditional definition of genes may overlook critical genomic functions.

These recently evolved protein markers could serve as biological indicators, helping to identify patients at greater risk for psychosis or suicide, thus enhancing diagnosis and treatment strategies for these challenging mental health conditions. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share genetic underpinnings and common symptoms, complicating their distinction; hence, this discovery is especially important.

The study suggests that environmental disruptions to these dark genome regions may contribute to the development of these disorders, which are believed to be unique to humans, echoing our evolutionary progression. With these insights, the researchers hope to pave the way for new therapeutic targets, potentially revolutionizing treatment approaches. Dr. Sudhakaran Prabakaran, a leading researcher, has formed the company NonExomics to develop therapeutics based on these findings, supported by Cambridge Enterprise’s licensing efforts.

Advertisement

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Exit mobile version