Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations
Genetics constitute a crucial risk factor to schizophrenia. In the last decade, molecular genetic research has produced novel findings, infusing optimism about discovering the biological roots of schizophrenia. However, the complexity of the object of inquiry makes it almost impossible for non-speci...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00322/full |
| _version_ | 1811338206496423936 |
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| author | Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Julie Nordgaard Julie Nordgaard Lennart B. Jansson Lennart B. Jansson |
| author_facet | Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Julie Nordgaard Julie Nordgaard Lennart B. Jansson Lennart B. Jansson |
| author_sort | Mads G. Henriksen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Genetics constitute a crucial risk factor to schizophrenia. In the last decade, molecular genetic research has produced novel findings, infusing optimism about discovering the biological roots of schizophrenia. However, the complexity of the object of inquiry makes it almost impossible for non-specialists in genetics (e.g., many clinicians and researchers) to get a proper understanding and appreciation of the genetic findings and their limitations. This study aims at facilitating such an understanding by providing a brief overview of some of the central methods and findings in schizophrenia genetics, from its historical origins to its current status, and also by addressing some limitations and challenges that confront this field of research. In short, the genetic architecture of schizophrenia has proven to be highly complex, heterogeneous and polygenic. The disease risk is constituted by numerous common genetic variants of only very small individual effect and by rare, highly penetrant genetic variants of larger effects. In spite of recent advances in molecular genetics, our knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and the genotype-environment interactions remain limited. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:06:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-81792cbac2704711902b1e4570742dba |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5161 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T18:06:38Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-81792cbac2704711902b1e4570742dba2022-12-22T02:36:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Human Neuroscience1662-51612017-06-011110.3389/fnhum.2017.00322250542Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and LimitationsMads G. Henriksen0Mads G. Henriksen1Mads G. Henriksen2Julie Nordgaard3Julie Nordgaard4Lennart B. Jansson5Lennart B. Jansson6Mental Health Center Glostrup, University Hospital of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkCenter for Subjectivity Research, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkEarly Psychosis Intervention Center, Region Zealand Psychiatry Roskilde, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkMental Health Center Glostrup, University Hospital of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of CopenhagenCopenhagen, DenmarkGenetics constitute a crucial risk factor to schizophrenia. In the last decade, molecular genetic research has produced novel findings, infusing optimism about discovering the biological roots of schizophrenia. However, the complexity of the object of inquiry makes it almost impossible for non-specialists in genetics (e.g., many clinicians and researchers) to get a proper understanding and appreciation of the genetic findings and their limitations. This study aims at facilitating such an understanding by providing a brief overview of some of the central methods and findings in schizophrenia genetics, from its historical origins to its current status, and also by addressing some limitations and challenges that confront this field of research. In short, the genetic architecture of schizophrenia has proven to be highly complex, heterogeneous and polygenic. The disease risk is constituted by numerous common genetic variants of only very small individual effect and by rare, highly penetrant genetic variants of larger effects. In spite of recent advances in molecular genetics, our knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia and the genotype-environment interactions remain limited.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00322/fulltwinadoptionlinkagecandidate-geneGWASCNVs |
| spellingShingle | Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Mads G. Henriksen Julie Nordgaard Julie Nordgaard Lennart B. Jansson Lennart B. Jansson Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations Frontiers in Human Neuroscience twin adoption linkage candidate-gene GWAS CNVs |
| title | Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations |
| title_full | Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations |
| title_fullStr | Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations |
| title_short | Genetics of Schizophrenia: Overview of Methods, Findings and Limitations |
| title_sort | genetics of schizophrenia overview of methods findings and limitations |
| topic | twin adoption linkage candidate-gene GWAS CNVs |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00322/full |
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