Gene Networks in Neuropsychiatric Disease

Neelroop N. Parikshak, Daniel H. Geschwind

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Genomic studies have revealed that thousands of alterations in genetic loci will contribute to neuropsychiatric disease. However, genetic variation increases risk by altering multiple levels of transcript and protein expression through diverse levels of regulation. Molecular changes, in turn, alter the function of brain cells and circuits that lead to changes in cognition and behavior. A major challenge is to understand systematically how alterations in many risk genes involving diverse functional pathways manifest in neuronal phenotypes that mediate increases in disease risk. Here we discuss how gene networks offer a robust framework for understanding neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disease, focusing on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ). We highlight how network analysis has connected genetics to functional genomics to identify developmental epochs, neuronal cell types, and circuits related to ASD and SCZ. Gene networks aid in prioritizing neurobiological pathways for experimental validation and make predictions about how future risk factors might affect disease.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGenomics, Circuits, and Pathways in Clinical Neuropsychiatry
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages161-178
Number of pages18
ISBN (Print)9780128001059
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Jun 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Gene expression
  • Mental illness
  • Networks
  • Systems biology

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