Chips for Brains

Large scale analysis of gene expression using DNA arrays shows great promise in enhancing our understanding of how the genome constructs the brain. This technology has been employed to analyze gene expression variations in the brain resulting from genetic polymorphisms, drug abuse, aging, and the neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Although the data from DNA array analysis is necessarily noisy, thoughtfully designed experiments can give useful insights. In addition, as the use of DNA array technology grows, replicated experiments will provide even greater confidence in drawn conclusions, giving optimism that these methods will yield profound insights into the genomics of the brain.