Molecular Biology and the Major Psychoses

Abstract
Objective:To highlight the potential role of molecular biological studies in examining the expression of genes of interest in brain tissue to elucidate the pathophysiological basis of the major psychoses. Method:To review the principles underlying the available techniques for expression studies. Results:Detection of messenger RNA by in situ hybridisation and quantitation by Northern analysis are powerful tools to detect abnormalities in gene expression in brain tissue. Conclusion:The availability of simple techniques to examine the expression of RNA and protein products of individual genes, including examination at the level of individual cells, offers a clear opportunity to define the molecular basis of the major psychoses.

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