A genomic screen for genetic loci associated with schizophrenia on chromosome 6 in certain region of Shandong Province

Objective To find regions on chromosome 6 associated with schizophrenia and genes responsible for the etiology of schizophrenia.Methods A total of 20 microsatellite markers on chromosome 6 spaced at average of 10 cM was selected and two separated DNA pooling samples consisting of 119 schizophrenic cases and 119 normal controls was genotyped respectively,and compared the difference in the ratio of each allele between the two groups.Results The allele frequencies on the D6S289 and D6S460 loci were greater in patients than that in controls(0.121 vs.0.046 and 0.200 vs.0.157;all P0.01),while the allele frequency on D6S1610 locus was greater in controls than that in patients(0.161 vs.0.087;P 0.01).Conclusion The regions on chromosome 6 may be associated with schizophrenic in this sample,and further screen of candidate genes in these area are needed.