White Matter Defects May Lead to Schizophrenia

HealthDay News) -- Defects in the brain's white matter, which is responsible for communication between parts of the brain, may be a key genetic factor contributing to schizophrenia, a new study suggests.

"This is the first clear demonstration of a new mechanism by which aspects of schizophrenia and other disorders could be produced," said study senior author Gabriel Corfas, an associate professor of neurology and otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School.

"On the one hand, this may help us to understand and start thinking about novel treatment strategies," added Corfas, a member of the neurobiology program at Children's Hospital Boston. "Secondly, this may help in early detection and, nowadays, we know that this is critical."
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