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Substantial evidence suggests that the diagnosis of [[schizophrenia]] has a heritable component (some estimates are as high as 80%). Current research suggests that environmental factors play a significant role in the expression of any genetic disposition towards schizophrenia (i.e. if someone has the genes that increase risk, this will not automatically result in a diagnosis of schizophrenia later in life).
 
Substantial evidence suggests that the diagnosis of [[schizophrenia]] has a heritable component (some estimates are as high as 80%). Current research suggests that environmental factors play a significant role in the expression of any genetic disposition towards schizophrenia (i.e. if someone has the genes that increase risk, this will not automatically result in a diagnosis of schizophrenia later in life).
   
In search of evidence for the genetic link researhers have adopted a number of strategies:
+
In search of evidence for the genetic link researchers have adopted a number of strategies:
   
 
==Twin studies==
 
==Twin studies==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
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[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=181500] OHIM schizophrenia page]
 
   
   

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Substantial evidence suggests that the diagnosis of schizophrenia has a heritable component (some estimates are as high as 80%). Current research suggests that environmental factors play a significant role in the expression of any genetic disposition towards schizophrenia (i.e. if someone has the genes that increase risk, this will not automatically result in a diagnosis of schizophrenia later in life).

In search of evidence for the genetic link researchers have adopted a number of strategies:

Twin studies

A recent review of the genetic evidence from twin studies has suggested a more than 28% chance of one identical twin obtaining the diagnosis if the other already has it[1] (see twin studies), but such studies are not noted for pondering the likelihood of similarities of social class and/or other socio-psychological factors between the twins.

Main article: Schizophrenia - Twin studies

Studies of adopted children reared apart

Adoption studies support the genetic theory of transmission. In 1994, Kety et al looked at schizophrenia in the biological and adoptive relatives of schizophrenic adoptees, and compared this to a demographically matched group of control adoptees [2]. In the sample of adoptees with chronic schizophrenia, the disorder was matched only in their biological relatives and not their adoptive relatives. The prevalence of the disorder was 10 times higher in the biological relatives of the schizophrenic adoptees than in the biological relatives of the control group.

Molecular genetics

There is currently a great deal of effort being put into molecular genetic studies of schizophrenia, which attempt to identify specific genes which may increase risk. Because of this, the genes that are thought to be most involved can change as new evidence is gathered. A 2003 review of linkage studies listed seven genes as likely to increase risk for a later diagnosis of the disorder.[3] Two more recent reviews[4][5] have suggested that the evidence is currently strongest for two genes known as dysbindin (DTNBP1) and neuregulin (NRG1), with a number of other genes (such as COMT, RGS4, PPP3CC, ZDHHC8, DISC1, and AKT1) showing some early promising results that have not yet been fully replicated.

Main article: Schizophrenia - Molecular genetic studies of schizophrenia loci

Modes of Transmission

These different methods all suggest that since the concordance rate among MZ twins is not 100% and people can carry the genotype for schizophrenia without developing the condition, there is probably not a single dominant gene for schizophrenia.So a number of mechanisms have been suggested in line with the findings.

Single gene model with incomplete penetrance

Penetrance is a term used in genetics that describes the extent to which the properties controlled by a gene, its phenotype, will be expressed.

A highly penetrant gene will express itself almost regardless of the effects of environment, whereas a gene with low penetrance will only sometimes produce the symptom or trait with which it has been associated. In some cases, the phenotype in question will occur only when the gene is present; in other cases, they may occur for unrelated reasons. In the case of low penetrance it is difficult to distinguish environmental from genetic factors.

Penetrance and heritability appear closely related at first glance, but in fact it is possible to carry a huge number of inherited genes with low penetrance and not be aware of them. The opposite is not the case however, if you carry a higher penetrant gene, you will know (assuming the gene has a noticeable effect, many do not[citation needed]).


Polygenic model

Another model of transmission is the [[Quantitative trait locus|polygenic model] which assumes inheritance of a phenotypic characteristic (trait) that is attributable to two or more genes and their interaction with the environment. Unlike monogenic traits, polygenic traits do not follow patterns of Mendelian inheritance (qualitative traits). Instead, their phenotypes typically vary along a continuous gradient depicted by a bell curve. This model is appealing because it could explain why concordance in twins increases with severity of illness and why the risk of schizophrenia increases with the number of relatives affected.


See also

References & Bibliography

  1. Torrey, E.F., Bowler, A.E., Taylor, E.H. & Gottesman, I. I (1994) Schizophrenia and manic depressive disorder. New York: Basic books. ISBN 0-465-07285-2
  2. Kety SS, Wender PH, Jacobsen B, Ingaham LJ, Jansson L, Faber B, Kinney DK. Mental illness in the biological and adoptive relatives of schizophrenic adoptees. Archives of General Psychiatry 1994 June; 51: 442-455
  3. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fn_12
  4. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named fn_75
  5. Riley B, Kendler KS (2006) Molecular genetic studies of schizophrenia. Eur J Hum Genet, 14 (6), 669-80.

Key texts

Books

Papers

  • Marshall, J.R. (1984) The genetics of schizophrenia revisited, Bulletin of the British Psychological Society 37: 177-81.

Additional material

Books

Papers

External links

[1] OHIM schizophrenia page] [[Category:Schizophrenia - Genetic factors