DNA microarray gene expression analysis technology and its application to neurological disorders.

DNA microarray technology is currently an area of great interest. Also called "genechip" technology, it incorporates molecular genetics and computer science on a massive scale. This technology can rapidly provide a detailed view of the simultaneous expression of entire genomes and provide new insights into gene function, disease pathophysiology, disease classification, and drug development. In this review, the author discusses the basic theory behind genechip and the other biologic chip technologies, their limitations given the current state of biologic knowledge and computational abilities, and their potential applications to the understanding of neurologic disorders.