Schizophrenia - Nature or Nurture ?...

'Nature' (inherited traits encoded within the genes) vs 'nurture' (characteristics acquired through exposure to environmental or social input) is core to many debates around health and behavioural issues.    Now, using studies on twins it is shown that the nurture can be a significant factor. with environmental factors changing gene activity.  (Human Molecular Genetics. DOI:10.1098/hmg/ddr416)

The work by Jonathan Mill at Kings College london, carried out genetic studies on 22 pairs of identical twins, selected because one of each pair had been diagnosed with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. DNA was, of course identical in each but had significant differences in "epigenetic" markings which do not change the DNA of the genes but indicate how active they are.  Commonly,these markings are by a process of 'methylation' which switches genes on and off and the methylation process is a result of processes influencing the genes from the external environment.  ie not within the genes themselves.

A prominant known promotor genes for  both schizophrenia and bipoar disorder were were. studied.  One interesting additional finding was that one gene (ZNF659) showed over methyllation for people with schizophrena but under-methiation for in those with bipolar disorder, suggesting that the conditions might result from opposing gene activity.  Thus, some genes may be over-acitve in one disease but under-active in another.

Jonathan Mill says that if it were shown that epigenetic changes preceed the onset of disorders, a fact which could be established by scanning twins throuout life, then it might be possible to identify the environmental changes, such as diet, stress or other inputs, which cold then be prevented.   This first step however possibly gives the best evidence to date that epigenetic mechanism may drive psychiatric disorders.

You are what you eat !..

 New evidence has shown that gentic material that we eat in food survives digestion without breakdown and and cirulates through the body.  Furthermore some of these gene fragments, are known to muffle gene expresson which lead to measurable biochemical changes.  (Cell Research, DOI:10.1038/cr.2011.158).

 The study, by Cheu-Yu-Zhang, of Nanjing University showed that  plant RNA's from the cabbage family, along with rice, brocoli, and possibly all the plants you eat can change the behaviour of your genes in ways previously unkown to science.   Among other things, the study looked at cholesterol levels in the blood and found that they could be influenced by the gene affecting affect of the  RNA plant fragments.

The studies have yet to be followed up and further validated. However, in the least case they will very likely result in a swell of research into the effects of food DNA and RNA on our health.  They may demonstrate both unknown adverse as well as advantagious affects and lead to the developent of new drugs.

We are what we eat ... !

New evidence has shown that gentic material that we eat in food survives digestion without breakdown and and cirulates through the body.  Furthermore some of these gene fragments, are known to muffle gene expresson which lead to measurable biochemical changes.  (Cell Research, DOI:10.1038/cr.2011.158).

 The study, by Cheu-Yu-Zhang, of Nanjing University showed that  plant RNA's from the cabbage family, along with rice, brocoli, and possibly all the plants you eat can change the behaviour of your genes in ways previously unkown to science.   Among other things, the study looked at cholesterol levels in the blood and found that they could be influenced by the gene affecting affect of the  RNA plant fragments.

The studies have yet to be followed up and further validated. However, in the least case they will very likely result in a swell of research into the effects of food DNA and RNA on our health.  They may demonstrate both unknown adverse as well as advantagious affects and lead to the developent of new drugs.