Scientists claim they are a step closer to unravelling the genetic underpinnings of schizophrenia following the largest genome-wide association research of the disorder ever undertaken. An international team of 190 scientists from 135 institutions found significant associations with schizophrenia for five new and two previously implicated locations on the human genome, the Nature Genetics journal reported. It has long been recognised that schizophrenia is highly heritable. However, this rese-arch has pinpointed novel regions of the human genome significantly associated with disease, and confirmed other recently reported genomic regions that may harbour disease-causing genetic variation.
According to Prof. Bryan Mowry from Queensland Brain Institute these findings were made possible because of the unprecedented size of the study, with more than 50,000 participants. “It provides a solid foundation for beginning to understand the mechanisms underlying the substantial genetic predisposition to schizophrenia,” Prof. Mowry said. Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people and its onset is typically in adolescence or early adulthood. Psychosis (comprising hallucinations and delusions) is the hallmark of schizophrenia, but other symptoms such as personal neglect and amotivation are common, as is an increased risk of suicide.
Prof. Mowry says that gaining a better understanding ofthe genetic architecture of schizophrenia will ultimately aid the earlier diagnosis and management of the disorder. “If your genetic profile suggests you have a predisposition towards developing schizophrenia, it will be particularly important for you to avoid known environmental risk factors, such as smoking cannabis.