Using a multiplexed, digital, mRNA profiling assay based upon NanoString single molecule, direct mRNA counting technology, we constructed a 131 unique gene probe set covering 18 genes located within the major loci identified to date through GWAS as being associated with BD susceptibility, as well as an additional 113 unique genes implicated in neurodevelopment, functionally connected to ankyrin and ion channels, as well as in schizophrenia given the growing evidence for cross-disorder, shared genetic etiology by GWAS (Table S8)23. Data were normalized to the geometric mean of 13 selected reference genes (CBX3, DDX24, EEF1B2, NUDCD3, CEP170, NACAP1, LOC552889, ESD, MEA1, FAM162A, SEPT9, HP1BP3, RPRD1A) selected for flat expression signature in brain array data.
