Identification of biomarkers for schizophrenia using scalp hairs

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670520
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIKAWA Takeo 独立行政法人理化学研究所, 脳科学総合研究センター, チームリーダー (30249958)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 毛根 / 遺伝子発現 / バイオマーカー / FABP4

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hair follicles may seem an odd place to look when trying to predict mental illness. But in fact, it’s not so odd. Brain cells and hair follicles 'the organs that grow hair in humans and other mammals' are derived developmentally from a layer of the embryo called the ectoderm, which also produces the outer skin layer and teeth enamel, for example. We were looking for a way to examine genes that have been found to be different in the brain cells of schizophrenic patients and controls, with the goal to identify biomarkers that could be used to fine whether a person might be susceptible to the disease. We found a gene called FABP4 being down-regulated in hair follicles. This means that we could look at the expression of FABP4 in hair follicles and recognize a susceptibility if it was reduced. These finding could allow us to better understand the onset of the disease and, eventually, look for treatments that can delay or even prevent the onset of the disease.

Free Research Field

精神医学、分子遺伝学