Genetics of Childhood-onset Schizophrenia 2019  Update

This article discusses key findings from genetic studies of childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) and the more common adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS), including studies of familial aggregation and common, rare, and copy number variants. Extant literature suggests that COS is a rare variant of AOS involving greater familial aggregation of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and a potentially higher occurrence of pathogenic copy number variants. The direct utility of genetics to clinical practice for COS is currently limited; however, identifying common pathways through which risk genes affect brain function offers promise for novel interventions.

Source: Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America - October 16, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Jennifer K. Forsyth, Robert F. Asarnow Source Type: research