Novel Diagnostic for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness that is often difficult to diagnose, especially in its early stages.  Noam Shomron, from Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine (Israel), and colleagues have discovered a method for physical diagnosis — by collecting tissue from the nose through a simple biopsy.  The scientists were able to narrow down the microRNA to a differentially expressed set, and from there down to a specific microRNA which is elevated in individuals with the disease compared to healthy individuals. Further research revealed that this particular microRNA controls genes associated with the generation of neurons.   In practice, material for biopsy could be collected through a quick and easy outpatient procedure, using a local anesthetic. And with microRNA profiling results ready in a matter of hours, this method could evolve into a relatively simple and accurate test to diagnose a very complicated illness.