IDENTIFICATION OF AN ELEVATED INCIDENCE OF CHROMOSOMAL REARRANGEMENTS IN THE CENTROMERIC REGIONS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC SUBJECTS

Introduction: The focal aim of the present investigation was to study the foremost chromosomal aberrations (CA) like deletion, translocation, inversion and mosaic in schizophrenic subjects of Tamilnadu, Southern India. Totally 65 blood samples were collected from various hospitals in Tamilnadu, Southern India. Materials and methods: Equal numbers of physically and mentally healthy subjects were serve as a control. In the present study chromosomal examinations were carry out by using the GTG banding technique on 65 schizophrenics and finally the results were ensured by spectral karyotyping (SKY) technique. Results: All the patients had random numerical and structural aberrations were identified. Structural aberrations predominated and usually consisted of deletions, translocation, inversion and mosaicism of various chromosomes. Present study has detected 1, 7, 9, 11, 21, 22 and X, suggested that these chromosomal scratches are prevalent in schizophrenics. In comparison with experimental subjects, the control subjects exhibited very low (p<0.05) levels of major CA. Conclusion: In the present study, the high frequency of chromosomal rearrangements designates a potential role for mitotic indiscretion coupled with the centromeric disruption. The reason for this might be that these anomalies increase risk for schizophrenia in a relatively nonspecific way, such as contributing to disruption of normal biological system. Identification of these chromosome alterations may be helpful to understanding further molecular basis research of the disease in better way.