Methods for determining susceptibility to developmental disorders due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors
AssigneeUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
InventorsWilliam G. Johnson, Edward Scott Stenroos
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses a novel method for identifying an individual who may be susceptible to develop a developmental disorder. In one particular example, an individual is identified who is genetically susceptible to becoming schizophrenic. In addition, the present invention discloses a novel method for identifying individuals who are genetically susceptible to have offspring with a developmental disorder. Methods of diagnosing, preventing and treating developmental disorders such as schizophrenia are also provided.
Claims11
A method of estimating the genetic susceptibility of an individual to have or to develop a developmental disorder comprising:
- (a) collecting a biological sample from one or more participants;
- wherein a participant is either the individual or a blood relative of the individual;
- and wherein the biological sample contains nucleic acids and/or proteins of the participant;
- (b) analyzing the nucleic acids and/or proteins from the biological sample;
- wherein said analyzing results in a partial or full genotype for the alleles of the genes involved in folate, pyridoxine, and/or cobalamin metabolism;
- and wherein said partial or full genotype forms a dataset or datasets of genetic explanatory variables for the one or more participants;
- (c) adding the dataset or datasets of genetic explanatory variables obtained from step (b) to a genetic reference dataset therein forming a combined genetic dataset;
- (d) formulating a model comprising the genetic explanatory variables obtained from the one or more participants;
- and
- (e) analyzing the combined genetic dataset;
- wherein a predicted probability for the individual of having or developing a developmental disorder is determined;
- and wherein the genetic susceptibility of an individual to have or to develop a developmental disorder is estimated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.