Systems biology and gene networks in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders

NN Parikshak, MJ Gandal, DH Geschwind - Nature Reviews Genetics, 2015 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Genetics, 2015nature.com
Genetic and genomic approaches have implicated hundreds of genetic loci in
neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration, but mechanistic understanding
continues to lag behind the pace of gene discovery. Understanding the role of specific
genetic variants in the brain involves dissecting a functional hierarchy that encompasses
molecular pathways, diverse cell types, neural circuits and, ultimately, cognition and
behaviour. With a focus on transcriptomics, this Review discusses how high-throughput …
Abstract
Genetic and genomic approaches have implicated hundreds of genetic loci in neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration, but mechanistic understanding continues to lag behind the pace of gene discovery. Understanding the role of specific genetic variants in the brain involves dissecting a functional hierarchy that encompasses molecular pathways, diverse cell types, neural circuits and, ultimately, cognition and behaviour. With a focus on transcriptomics, this Review discusses how high-throughput molecular, integrative and network approaches inform disease biology by placing human genetics in a molecular systems and neurobiological context. We provide a framework for interpreting network biology studies and leveraging big genomics data sets in neurobiology.
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