mutation tied to schizophrenia tagged posts

Neurons (stock illustration). Credit: © whitehoune / Fotolia

Using human stem cells, researchers create 3D model of the brain to study a mutation tied to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. Researchers are leveraging gene-editing tools and mini-organs grown in the lab to study the effects of DISC1 mutations in cerebral organoids – ‘mini brains’ – cultured from human stem cells.

Major mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, severe depression and bipolar disorder share a common genetic link. Studies of specific families with a history of these types of illnesses have revealed that affected family members share a mutation in the gene DISC1...