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HomeTopicsSchizophreniaSchizophrenia And Genetics
Schizophrenia and GeneticsSchizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by defects in perception or expression of reality. People with the disorder often experience hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized speech or thought patterns.
While researchers have discovered evidence that schizophrenia is genetically linked, we do not know the extent of the genetics of schizophrenia. Environmental, psychological and social factors are also contributing factors in the development of schizophrenia.
Twin and Family Studies and SchizophreniaFamily and twin studies are useful in determining the genetics of schizophrenia. For the general population without a family history of schizophrenia, the possibility of developing the disease is about one percent. Individuals who have one parent with schizophrenia are at a higher risk of becoming schizophrenic themselves- about 13 percent. The risk increases significantly when more than one person in the family has the disorder.
One study showed, however, that adopted children with a high genetic risk of schizophrenia had an 86 percent lower rate of developing schizophrenia when brought up in a healthy home instead of a broken home.
Twin studies are especially helpful since they can help determine the effects of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment). Research shows that identical twins who share the same genetic makeup only have a 50 percent chance of being schizophrenic if their twin is diagnosed with the disease. If schizophrenia was only linked with a particular gene or set of genes, then both twins would develop the disease.
Although the role of genetics in schizophrenia is important, these studies imply that there is a complex mix of inheritance and environmental factors in developing schizophrenia. Some scientists believe that certain genes are only activated when a person is in a specific environment.
This supports the idea that both nature and nurture have an influence in the development of schizophrenia. Therefore, if an individual has a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, they must also experience the environmental stressors to actually become schizophrenic.
Schizophrenia Treatment and PreventionIf you are a parent and have found that you are at a high risk of developing schizophrenia, there are certain steps you can take to potentially reduce your child's exposure to risk factors. Many of these take place during pregnancy, prenatal care and early childcare. They include:
Teenagers can also take steps to help prevent stressors that lead to schizophrenia. Doctors recommend that teenagers:
Children and teenagers are far more sensitive to stress than adults. Research has shown that stress is an environmental trigger and causes changes in the brain that can increase the risk of becoming schizophrenic. Parents can try to control the environment and limit the amount of stress to reduce this risk.
No laboratory tests exist at this point for diagnosing schizophrenia. Research has identified approximately a dozen genes that might contribute to the disease. Interactions between multiple genes may be responsible. However, in the future, specific genetic abnormalities may lead to diagnosis.
Working Toward a Cure for SchizophreniaWhile there is currently no cure for schizophrenia, progress has been made toward treatments that may keep the symptoms at bay. They include:
In addition, stem-cell research may provide us with a future treatment or cure for schizophrenia.
Resources
Schizophrenia.com (n.d.). The causes of schizophrenia. Retrieved November 11, 2008, from the Schizophrenia Web site: http://www.schizophrenia.com/hypo.php#genes.
Varma, S. (1997). Genetics of schizophrenia and affective disorder – An overlap. Retrieved November 11, 2008, from the Priory Web site: http://priory.com/psych/genetics.htm.
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