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Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder characterised by positive symptoms such as hallucinations and psychosis, negative symptoms such as avolition and anhedonia, and cognitive defects. Schizophrenia risk has a genetic component, and it is likely that this is caused by interaction between numerous genes with individually small effects. Environment also plays a role; factors associated with schizophrenia include drug use, prenatal stressors and living environment. Candidate genes linked to schizophrenia have been identified through recent GWAS of human populations with the disorder, including ANK3, TCF4 and CACNA1C. GWAS associations alone are not sufficient to identify these as definitive risk genes for the disease. In order to validate these findings, animal models (in particular the mouse) can be used to study the effect of mutations in these genes of interest. Knockouts of these genes in the mouse are lethal, so we have used the ENU mutagenesis DNA archive at MRC Harwell to screen for additional allelic variants expressing more subtle and varied behavioural phenotypes. Endophenotypes associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, such as anxiety, cognitive deficits and sensorimotor gating deficits, can be characterised in these mutants and, together with molecular characterisation, this can validate these genes as risk factors. While mutations in Ank3 and Tcf4 proved to be non-functional, two mutations in Cacna1c have been associated with anxiety phenotypes and differences in EEG power spectra, as well as causing a cardiac phenotype.

<p>Children with autism typically present with sensory processing difficulties that affect their ability to relate to people. This qualitative study focused on exploring the sensory processing of children with autism and their mothers, using a frame of reference of sensory integration theory. The purpose of the study was to help mothers gain knowledge and understanding into their own sensory processing so that they could develop a better understanding of their child&rsquo / s sensory processing in order to facilitate better mother-child relationships. An evaluation tool, the Sensory Profiles by Dunn (1999) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile by Brown &amp / Dunn (2002) was used as the instrument for gathering information on sensory processing. The population consisted of ten sets of mothers and their children with autism who attend Vera School for Learners with Autism. The Sensory&nbsp / rofiles was completed to investigate the phenomenological issues regarding the sensory modulation aspects of the parent-child relationship. Each mother received individual feedback on their own and their child&rsquo / s sensory processing. Two focus groups were then conducted with the mothers to determine the value of the information gained from the&nbsp / rofiles. Data consisted of two audio taped feedback from the focus group. Data was analysed for emerging themes. The three major themes that emerged were, (a) You realize&nbsp / ow similar you are to your child, (b) I also have needs (c) They walk away and leave you with this wreck of a child. The findings of the study suggest that an understanding of&nbsp / ensory processing can influence the mother-child relationship positively.</p>

<p>Children with autism typically present with sensory processing difficulties that affect their ability to relate to people. This qualitative study focused on exploring the sensory processing of children with autism and their mothers, using a frame of reference of sensory integration theory. The purpose of the study was to help mothers gain knowledge and understanding into their own sensory processing so that they could develop a better understanding of their child&rsquo / s sensory processing in order to facilitate better mother-child relationships. An evaluation tool, the Sensory Profiles by Dunn (1999) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile by Brown &amp / Dunn (2002) was used as the instrument for gathering information on sensory processing. The population consisted of ten sets of mothers and their children with autism who attend Vera School for Learners with Autism. The Sensory&nbsp / rofiles was completed to investigate the phenomenological issues regarding the sensory modulation aspects of the parent-child relationship. Each mother received individual feedback on their own and their child&rsquo / s sensory processing. Two focus groups were then conducted with the mothers to determine the value of the information gained from the&nbsp / rofiles. Data consisted of two audio taped feedback from the focus group. Data was analysed for emerging themes. The three major themes that emerged were, (a) You realize&nbsp / ow similar you are to your child, (b) I also have needs (c) They walk away and leave you with this wreck of a child. The findings of the study suggest that an understanding of&nbsp / ensory processing can influence the mother-child relationship positively.</p>

Magister Scientiae (Occupational Therapy) - MSc(OT) / Children with autism typically present with sensory processing difficulties that affect their ability to relate to people. This qualitative study focused on exploring the sensory processing of children with autism and their mothers, using a frame of reference of sensory integration theory. The purpose of the study was to help mothers gain knowledge and understanding into their own sensory processing so that they could develop a better understanding of their child's sensory processing in order to facilitate better mother-child relationships. An evaluation tool, the Sensory Profiles by Dunn (1999) and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile by Brown & Dunn (2002) was used as the instrument for gathering information on sensory processing. The population consisted of ten sets of mothers and their children with autism who attend Vera School for Learners with Autism. The Sensory Profiles was completed to investigate the phenomenological issues regarding the sensory modulation aspects of the parent-child relationship. Each mother received individual feedback on their own and their child's sensory processing. Two focus groups were then conducted with the mothers to determine the value of the information gained from the profiles. Data consisted of two audio taped feedback from the focus group. Data was analysed for emerging themes. The three major themes that emerged were, (a) You realize how similar you are to your child, (b) I also have needs (c) They walk away and leave you with this wreck of a child. The findings of the study suggest that an understanding of sensory processing can influence the mother-child relationship positively. / South Africa