Perlegen Sciences and the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium to Collaborate on Bipolar Disorder Study.MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- Perlegen Sciences, Inc. announced today that it is conducting a high density whole genome association study of bipolar disorder bipolar disorder, formerly manic-depressive disorder or manic-depression, severe mental disorder involving manic episodes that are usually accompanied by episodes of depression. (BPD) in collaboration with the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric neu·ro·psy·chi·a·try n. The medical study of disorders with both neurological and psychiatric features. neu Disorders Research Consortium (PNDRC). DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. samples systematically collected by projects that participated in the National Institute of Mental Health The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is part of the federal government of the United States and the largest research organization in the world specializing in mental illness. (NIMH) Bipolar Disorder Genetics Initiative and control samples from the NIMH Molecular Genetics molecular genetics n. The branch of genetics that deals with hereditary transmission and variation on the molecular level. of Schizophrenia (MGS-2) Initiative will be used in this study. This effort represents a convergence of resources from the commercial, academic, federal and philanthropic sectors aimed at discovering the causes of psychiatric disorders and devising novel treatments. The collaborators will conduct a comparative study of genetic variation in patients with BPD (cases) versus matched, unaffected controls. The genetic variants, also called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs, will be genotyped in the cases and controls. Validation of results will be conducted in a separate set of BPD cases and controls. This represents the highest density genome scan of BPD conducted to date. The PNDRC in conjunction with a NIMH-funded Conte Center has shown differential gene expression in post mortem [Latin, After death.] Pertaining to matters occurring after death. A term generally applied to an autopsy or examination of a corpse in order to ascertain the cause of death or to the inquisition for that purpose by the Coroner . brain samples from patients who had suffered from mood disorders The mood or affective disorders are mental disorders that primarily affect mood and interfere with the activities of daily living. Usually it includes major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (also called Manic Depressive Psychosis). and schizophrenia. The PNDRC will examine how genetic variations correlate with gene expression changes in neuropsychiatric disorders. Results of the study are expected to help guide development of improved diagnostics, therapeutics and more personalized clinical management strategies to combat neuropsychiatric diseases. "NIMH is very pleased to be part of this effort to provide resources that will help us understand how versions of genes associated with psychiatric illness work in the brain," said Dr. Thomas R. Insel, Director of NIMH. "The results will ultimately help us improve diagnosis and treatments for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses." "We are eager to understand the genetics of this serious disorder more thoroughly and hope this study will help to accelerate and focus research that leads to new treatments and better diagnosis," stated Paul Cusenza, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Sector Collaborations at Perlegen Sciences. About the Pritzker Neuropsychiatric Disorders Research Consortium (PNDRC) The PNDRC is a collaborative research enterprise comprised of several leading academic institutions including scientific groups at the University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. , Stanford University, University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). at Irvine, and the University of California at Davis, and recently joined by Cornell University. The Consortium is focused on understanding the neurobiology Neurobiology Study of the development and function of the nervous system, with emphasis on how nerve cells generate and control behavior. The major goal of neurobiology is to explain at the molecular level how nerve cells differentiate and develop their and genetics of mood disorders and schizophrenia. It is conducting studies on human post-mortem tissue, blood samples from isolated populations, and various animal models, to identify altered profiles of gene expression in blood or brain circuits associated with these disorders. Its aim is to uncover the causes of these illnesses, identify novel targets for their diagnosis, treatment and prevention and to ensure that applications of these discoveries are utilized to the fullest extent possible. More information is available at http://www.pritzkerneuropsych.org/ About Perlegen Sciences Perlegen Sciences, Inc. is working to provide safe and effective medicines to the world. The company quickly and cost effectively analyzes millions of genetic variations in DNA samples obtained from clinical trial participants. This information is used to explain and predict the efficacy and adverse effect profiles of prescription drugs. Perlegen also applies this expertise to discovering genetic variants associated with disease for potential new therapeutics and diagnostics. For years, scientists and drug manufacturers have been eager to comprehensively examine entire genomes; through Perlegen, this is now possible. Perlegen is able to bring drugs to the market wherein clinical development could have been otherwise discontinued. Based in Mountain View, California For the census-designated place, see Mountain View, Contra Costa County, California. For other places called "Mountain View", see . Mountain View is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city gets its name from the views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. , Perlegen was formed in late 2000 as a spin-off from Affymetrix, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFX). For more information about the company and its technologies, visit Perlegen's website at www.perlegen.com. Perlegen Sciences, Perlegen, and the Perlegen logo are trademarks of Perlegen Sciences, Inc. |
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