To find how endophenotypes sort in families, interact with each other and may identify genes associated with schizophrenia.
This project identifies families that contain a person with schizophrenia. The families must contain at least one person with schizophrenia, 2 parents and another sibling without schizophrenia. The parents are used to isolate DNA from white blood cells and thus to discern patterns of inheritance. The person with schizophrenia and the sibling undergo endophenotype testing, an extensive diagnostic interview and collection of genetic material to help identify genes in schizophrenia. Endophenotypes are physiological or neuropsychological markers of carriers of disease genes that are present in those with symptoms and also in relatives who may carry the gene, but not manifest symptoms. By studying 6 of these endophenotypes, we will be able to determine what are the needed combinations of genes to manifest symptoms. The endophenotypes studied are an eye movement task, the startle response (prepulse inhibition), an auditory evoked potential deficit, verbal memory, working memory and sustained attention.
The student will be involved in recruitment of families, screening, diagnostic evaluations, neuropsychological and neurophysiological testing. Furthermore, the student will have the opportunity to evaluate data quality from the auditory evoked potential measure from the 7 sites across the country.
Preceptor Information |
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| Name: | Ann Olincy |
| Department: | Psychiatry |
| Location: | Colorado Psychiatric Hospital |
| 9th Avenue and Colorado Blvd. Campus | |
| Contact: | 303-315-5046 |
| ann.olincy@uchsc.edu | |
| Faculty/Lab Website: | |
Position Information |
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| Openings | flexible |
| Funding: | Funding for summer stipend may be available at $1700 per month |