A BLOOD test that measures the activity of genes can accurately detect mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, a small trial suggests.
RNA molecules are produced whenever a gene is active and, by measuring levels of these molecules in the blood, a team led by Ming Tsuang, at the University of California in San Diego has distinguished healthy individuals from patients with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic depression).
These conditions are currently diagnosed by assessing patients’ behaviour. “A laboratory test would enable earlier diagnosis and more timely treatment,” Tsuang says.
Tsuang’s team took blood samples from 74 patients, 30 with schizophrenia, 16 with bipolar disorder…
