Genetic variants of EPO and EPOR influence cognitive core features of schizophrenia

Dissertation for the award of the degree "Doctor rerum naturalium" 3 I hereby declare that this thesis has been written independently with no other sources or aids than quoted. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Hannelore Ehrenreich for giving me the possibility to work in her division and to study under her supervision. I am very grateful for the help, guidance and numerous opportunities offered during the course of the years. Henning Gibbons and Klaus-Armin Nave, both members of my PhD committee, have always offered valuable input and constructive criticism. For the genetics' section of this work, I would like to thank Sabrina Grube, and Sergi Papiol for all their work and expertise regarding genetic analyses. A special note of gratitude goes to Martin Begemann for frequent help and caring for the patients as well as their follow ups. Also I would like to thank Ahmed El-Kordi for his work in the behaviour unit including provision of the data on the cEPOR mice. I am grateful to Anne Kästner for productive discussions and all her help, and to Erin Choi for proofreading. I would like to specially thank Katja Ribbe who not only provided intellectual and emotional support but also created a wonderful working atmosphere. And last but not least I would like to thank my family and friends for their continuous motivation, encouragement and support.