19 July 2005

IntegraGen identifies a key brain protein involved in autism

Scientists at IntegraGen, the personalised medicine company, published the results of a genetic linkage analysis showing a strong association between the protein PRKCB1 and autism in the August issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Northbank worked with IntegraGen to publicise this development through the media by drafting, distributing and pitching a press release to science writers. Maximum use was made of the opportunity presented by this publication to build IntegraGen’s credibility as an important genetic R&D company and to validate its unique approach to investigating and applying genetics in the clinic. To help with this, Northbank also developed a robust Q&A document in preparation for this announcement that IntegraGen can continue to use internally to ensure its communications are clear and consistent.

The scientific data provides the basis for a new mechanistic explanation for some of the characteristics of autism. “This is the first time that the protein PRKCB1, and the brain functions it is involved with, have been associated with autism,” explained Dr Jorg Hager, Chief Scientist at IntegraGen. “For this reason, we think that this is a significant development in the field of autism research and we hope it will make an important contribution to understanding the causes of the condition.” Click here for the full press release.

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