| abstract |
An isolated mammalian DNA molecule encoding a mutant gamma -aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subunit, wherein a mutation event selected from the group consisting of point mutations, deletions, insertions and rearrangements has occurred and said mutation event disrupts the functioning of an assembled GABA receptor, or an otherwise functional fragment or homologue thereof. This mutation event creates a phenotype of epilepsy and/or anxiety and/or manic depression and/or phobic obsessive symptoms and/or Alzheimer's disease and/or schizophrenia and/or migraine and/or obesity. A method of diagnosing these disorders is disclosed. |