Targets, methods, and reagents for diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia

Abstract

The present invention provides targets, methods, and reagents for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia and related conditions. The invention provides methods for the diagnosis of schizophrenia and susceptibility to schizophrenia by detection of polymorphisms, mutations, variations, alterations in expression, etc., in calcineurin genes or calcineurin interacting genes, or polymorphisms linked to such genes. The invention provides oligonucleotides, arrays, and antibodies for detection of polymorphisms and variants. The invention provides transgenic mice having alterations in such genes. The invention also provides methods of treating schizophrenia by administering compounds that target these genes. The invention further provides screening methods for identifying such compounds and compounds obtained by performing the screens.

1 . A method for the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizophrenia susceptibility comprising:
 (i) providing a sample obtained from a subject to be tested for schizophrenia or schizophrenia susceptibility; and   (ii) detecting a polymorphic variant of a polymorphism in a coding or noncoding portion of a gene encoding a calcineurin subunit or encoding a calcineurin interacting molecule, or detecting a polymorphic variant of a polymorphism in a genomic region linked to such a gene, in the sample.   
     
     
         2 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method for treating schizophrenia or susceptibility to schizophrenia comprising:
 providing a subject at risk of or suffering from schizophrenia; and   administering a compound that modulates activity or abundance of calcineurin, a calcineurin subunit, or a calcineurin interacting molecule to the subject.   
     
     
         33 - 170 . (canceled) 
     
     
         171 . A method for identifying a candidate compound for treatment of schizophrenia comprising a step of
 testing a calcineurin activator in at least one schizophrenia disease model to determine if the calcineurin activator ameliorates at least one symptom in the schizophrenia disease model.