Massive Study Reveals Schizophrenia's Genetic Roots

The largest-ever genetic study of mental illness reveals a complex set of factors

Oct 16, 2014 |By Simon Makin

The genetic results help to explain why dopamine-blocking drugs such as Thorazine (*below*) are effective.

PASIEKA *Science Source*

Schizophrenia is a distressing disorder involving hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and agitation. It affects around one in 100 people in the U.S., with symptoms usually first appearing between the ages of 16 and 30. Its causes have long been debated, particularly regarding whether genetics plays a role. It is known to be highly heritable, but small sample sizes and other methodology hurdles stymied early attempts to discern a genetic link.

Now the biggest-ever genetic study of mental illness has found 128 gene variants associated with schizophrenia, in 108 distinct locations in the human genome. The vast majority of them had never before been linked to the disorder. This finding lays to rest any argument that genetics plays no role.

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