Genetics of schizophrenia: What do we know?
Researchers are discovering clues to predict susceptibility, improve treatment
Implications for clinical practice
Although schizophrenia genetic research has made tremendous progress in the past decade, most findings are at basic science level and clinical applications are limited. It is premature to attempt to use genetic markers to help diagnose schizophrenia or other psychiatric disorders.40 Researchers hope that new gene discovery will translate to better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia, which in turn lead to finding novel molecular targets for new drug development. Furthermore, pharmacogenetics helps clinicians use existing drugs more efficiently by maximizing efficacy and minimizing side effects. Several institutions have experimented with genotyping CYP450 in routine clinical practice,41 but prospective pharmacogenetic clinical trials are needed to validate the utility and cost-effectiveness of genetic testing-guided treatment algorithms.42
Bottom Line
Variations in multiple genes likely cause slight deviations in neurodevelopment that interact with environmental variables and lead to development of schizophrenia. Genome-wide association studies are allowing researchers to gain insight into which patients may have increased susceptibility to the disorder, identify potential molecular targets for new drugs, and expand their knowledge of how to best use medications.
Related Resource
- National Institute of Mental Health Center for Collaborative Genomic Studies on Mental Disorders. Schizophrenia. www.nimhgenetics.org/available_data/schizophrenia.
Drug Brand Names
- Abacavir • Ziagen
- Aripiprazole • Abilify
- Clozapine • Clozaril
- Haloperidol • Haldol
- Iloperidone • Fanapt
- Lamotrigine • Lamictal
- Olanzapine • Zyprexa
- Perphenazine • Trilafon
- Risperidone • Risperdal
Disclosures
Dr. Zhang reports no financial relationships with any company whose products are mentioned in this article or with manufacturers of competing products.
Dr. Malhotra is a consultant to Genomind, Inc.
This work was partly supported by a Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (Dr. Zhang), and by the National Institute of Mental Health (P50MH080173 to Dr. Malhotra and 1K23MH097108 to Dr. Zhang).
