June 12, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, AL — UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) will lead a national research effort looking for a genetic link to schizophrenia in African Americans. The project is the most comprehensive study of schizophrenia in African Americans ever conducted, and researchers hope to gain new insight into the genetic underpinnings of the condition. The 5-year, $21 million study, Project Among African Americans to Explore Risks for Schizophrenia (PAARTNERS), is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, one of the National Institutes of Health.

“Schizophrenia seems to run in families, suggesting there may be a genetic connection,” says Rodney Go, Ph.D., professor of public health and co-principal investigator of the study. “If we can identify a ‘schizophrenia susceptibility gene’ and learn more about the genetic basis of the disease, we can facilitate the development of drugs to better control the condition.”

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Found in all populations, schizophrenia reduces a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often leave them fearful and isolated.

“We know that a high percentage of people in prison in Alabama have been diagnosed with schizophrenia,” said Dr. Jacqueline Feldman, M.D., director of the UAB division of public psychiatry and co-principal investigator. “We hope that our research will identify ways to prevent the disease from manifesting itself, and therefore reduce the number of people with this disease or people likely to develop this disease from committing a crime.

The study, to be conducted at eight sites throughout the country, hopes to recruit 5,000 participants, all of whom have at least one family member diagnosed with schizophrenia. UAB is looking to enroll 900 individuals from approximately 200 families locally. The UAB team will oversee the data collection and analysis of all eight sites.

Feldman says one of the worst things facing people with schizophrenia is the stigma and isolation they face due to the public’s poor understanding of the illness.

“Families that have a schizophrenia patient also face this stigmatization as well as many obstacles and stresses when dealing with a family member with this disease,” she says. “We intend to educate the public about schizophrenia, and let them know that successfully treated persons with schizophrenia can reside in their communities. We also want to help families receive the support services they need to cope with the stresses in having a person with this disease.”

Persons interested in participating can learn more about the study at the PAARTNERS Web site at www.soph.uab.edu/paartners.