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Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41: S32-S36
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081200
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Systems Biology and Complex Neurobehavioral Traits

I. Giegling 1 , 2 , A. M. Hartmann 1 , 2 , J. Genius 1 , 2 , J. Benninghoff 1 , 2 , H.-J. Möller 2 , 3 , D. Rujescu 1 , 2 , 3
  • 1Division of Molecular and Clinical Neurobiology, Munich, Germany
  • 2Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
  • 3Genetics Research Centre, Munich, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
28 August 2008 (online)

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Abstract

There is evidence for a strong genetic component in the etiology of schizophrenia, as demonstrated by family, twin and adoption studies suggesting a heritability of about 80%. There are several approaches in the search for genetic risk factors such as linkage or association studies. Additionally, much effort was done in refining the phenotype including neuropsychology, neurophysiology, imaging or the generation of animal models. Genes becoming associated with schizophrenia have to be tested for functionality including e.g. metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, generation of transgenic mice, analysis of protein-protein interactions, allele-specific RNA expression analysis, analysis of neuronal and stem cell cultures, as well as post mortem studies and behavioral studies in rodents. This amount of data requires complex data analysis. A system's perspective can help in the analysis of the structural and functional complexity of the brain. New tools will be needed for a more complex and systemic view. The systems biology approach could be a pivotal tool in understanding of complex behavior and diseases in future.

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Correspondence

PD Dr. D. Rujescu

Ludwig-Maximilians-University

Nußbaumstr. 7

80336 Munich

Germany

Email: Dan.Rujescu@med.uni-muenchen.de