SCHIZOPHRENIA AND CHROMOSOME 6P

Several studies have recently reported genetic linkage between markers located on the short arm of chromosome 6 and schizophrenia, Valid con clusions, however, are difficult to formulate because chromosomal mark ers that yielded positive results span a relatively large region of ch romosome 6, and studies did not necessarily obtain consistent results with regard to the particular loci tested, Here, we report a meta-anal ysis of the results of linkage studies of schizophrenia that used chro mosome 6p markers. After conducting a systematic search, nine differen t studies mere selected for the analysis using defined criteria, Poole d P values were obtained for all common markers investigated and provi ded additional support for a major susceptibility locus for schizophre nia in this region. In addition, two markers located 2 cM apart, D6S27 4 and D6S285, provided the most significant results, These findings ma y help narrow the chromosomal region in the search for a major gene im plicated in schizophrenia, (C) 1997 Wiley-Lies, Inc.