Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

On the basis of epidemiological as well as neurobiological evidence, schizophrenia has been conceptualized as a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is also known to have a large heritable component and a complex genetic architecture. Many putative susceptibility genes have recently been identified, arising both from positional cloning and candidate gene approaches. The evidence is strong for neuregulin 1, dysbindin and DISC1, and moderate for several others. However, there are key unanswered questions. For example, concerning the molecular basis of genetic association, multiple, mostly non-coding, variants have been found within the genes, complicating discussion as to the strength and interpretation of the data. Second, there is speculation whether the genes converge on common pathways, notably glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Additional questions concern the emerging evidence for epistasis, the clinico-genetic correlates, and the extent to which the genes confer schizophrenia risk via their roles in neurodevelopment. Here, the genetic advances and their neurodevelopmental implications are summarised, with a particular focus on neuregulin 1.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Novartis Found Symp

Publication Date

2007

Volume

288

Pages

246 - 255

Keywords

Brain, Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22, Genes, Developmental, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Neuregulin-1, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Schizophrenia