Genetic Modifiers and Subtypes in Schizophrenia

Abstract The vast differences observed in clinical features of schizophrenia are undoubtedly mediated in part by genetic influences. Schizophrenia has been conceptualized as either a collection of disorders with overlapping features or a singular diagnostic entity with modifying influences giving rise to the observed range of manifestations. Accordingly, attempts to connect genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity have predominantly investigated the genetic foundations for clinically defined subgroups or explored the effects of putative risk genes on observed variation in schizophrenia. Some evidence exists to support both perspectives, and they are not mutually exclusive. The past few years have witnessed revolutionary advances in the understanding of the genetic risk factors for schizophrenia. Subsequent investigations of genetic and clinical heterogeneity have begun to integrate these findings and make use of the genotyping advances, allowing genome-wide and rare variation to be studied more readily. Recent studies incorporating symptoms, family history, age at onset, severity, sex, cognition, and environmental influences as either subtypes with a genetic basis or features modified by genetic loci are reviewed herein.
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research