Schizophrenia Is Actually Eight Distinct Genetic Disorders

io9.com ^ | 9/15/14 | George Dvorsky

[BenLurkin]

When it comes to schizophrenia and other complex conditions, individual genes have only a weak and inconsistent association (which is why it's often silly to look for single-gene factors). But groups of interacting gene clusters create an extremely high and consistent risk of illness — in this case, on the order of 70% to 100%. It's nearly impossible for people with these precise genetic variations to avoid the condition. In all, the researchers found no less than 42 clusters of genetic variations that significantly increase the risk of schizophrenia.

"In the past, scientists had been looking for associations between individual genes and schizophrenia," explained Dragan Svrakic, PhD, MD, a co-investigator and a professor of psychiatry at Washington University. "When one study would identify an association, no one else could replicate it. What was missing was the idea that these genes don't act independently. They work in concert to disrupt the brain's structure and function, and that results in the illness."

According to Svrakic, the key to the study was in organizing the genetic variations and the patients' symptoms into groups. This allowed them to see that particular clusters of DNA variations acted together to cause specific symptoms. Patients were then divided according to the type and severity of their symptoms. Results showed that those symptom profiles corresponded to eight qualitatively distinct disorders based on underlying genetic conditions.

Importantly, the researchers were able to replicate their findings in two additional DNA databases of people with schizophrenia; they confirmed 34 (81%) or more with similar high risk of schizophrenia with these independent samples.

[DannyTN]

There is an ongoing controversy on whether bipolar and schizophrenia are the same disorder. I think most say not, but there are a few doctors out there that claim they are the same.

With these genetic markers they may be well on their way to segmenting the disorders on a very objective bases.

[huldah1776]

Sounds like a great program and much needed within the military community for their families, wives, parents, children. I’ll get the info from your site and spread the word. Preventing suicide is my passion.

[JaguarXKE]

Sounds like a great program and much needed within the military community for their families, wives, parents, children. I’ll get the info from your site and spread the word. Preventing suicide is my passion.

It is a great program for military families with loved ones suffering with mental illness (PTSD, or other). In fact I have taught this course at the VA a couple of times.

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 09/15/2014. Thanks BenLurkin.