The gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a strong candidate for schizophrenia
susceptibility, owing to the role of COMT in dopamine metabolism, and the location of …

We characterized DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTLs) in a large collection (n =
166) of human fetal brain samples spanning 56–166 d post-conception, identifying >16,000 …

Epigenetic processes play a key role in orchestrating transcriptional regulation during
development. The importance of DNA methylation in fetal brain development is highlighted by the …

Alternative splicing is a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism producing distinct mRNA
molecules from a single pre-mRNA with a prominent role in the development and function of …

Background Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that is hypothesized to
result from disturbances in early brain development. There is mounting evidence to support a …

Much of the genetic component of human phenotypic diversity, including susceptibility to
disease, is proposed to be the result of cis-acting influences on gene expression. If this …

There is now strong evidence that Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.
NRG1 mediates some of its effects through the tyrosine kinase receptor erbB4, and …

Background Genetic influences on gene expression in the human fetal brain plausibly impact
upon a variety of postnatal brain-related traits, including susceptibility to neuropsychiatric …

The DTNBP1 gene, encoding dysbindin, is now generally considered to be a susceptibility
gene for schizophrenia. However, the confidence with which this hypothesis can be held has …

Background Variation in the gene encoding zinc finger binding protein 804A (ZNF804A) is
associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Evidence suggests that ZNF804A is a …