A Recent Study Identifies Schizophrenia as Eight Distinct Genetic Disorders

In a recent study on schizophrenia, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine analyzed DNA of 4,200 patients who had been diagnosed with the disorder, as well as 3,800 individuals with no history of the disorder.  In the past, schizophrenia was thought of as a single mental disorder.  However, the results of this study indicate that schizophrenia is actually a group of eight prominent disorders.  Scientists grouped patients based on their symptoms.  The groups included the following: difficulty in connecting emotions, thoughts, and varying types of hallucination.  In previous studies on schizophrenia, scientists have focused on analyzing gene sequences, but have had a difficult time locating specific genes where the disorder originates. Researchers created genetic profiles by matching symptoms with each individuals unique genetic features.  It is important to note that symptoms range from mild to very severe.

Based on the results, it can be concluded that certain genetic profiles make people more susceptible to developing schizophrenia.  For example, results revealed that disorganized behavior and speech patterns were linked to a group of DNA variations that yield a 100 percent risk of schizophrenia.  Senior investigator Dr. Robert Cloninger stated, "Genes don't operate by themselves.  They function in concert much like an orchestra, and to understand how they're working, you have to know not just who the members of that orchestra are, but how they interact."  People with schizophrenia are commonly diagnosed in their 20s, which is when many symptoms begin to arise.  Schizophrenia effects approximately 1 percent of the population.  The chances of developing the disorder increase to 10 percent if a relative is diagnosed making schizophrenia highly genetic.  Researchers indicate that the environment is a huge risk factor for the disorder, including stress and substance abuse.

The image above compares the brain activity in a healthy 

person to that in a person with schizophrenia 

(red is intense activity, purple is very little activity)

Ultimately, the ability to predict high risk within genetic clusters is a giant step forward.  The goal is for doctors to one day be able to offer patients a more in-depth diagnosis, in which identifying risk would allow them to assist in early prevention.  Genetic studies of this nature open up future treatment possibilities of schizophrenia, which could lead to treatment based on pathways within DNA.  More importantly, DNA-based genetic research may be useful in the future in analyzing other hereditary diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.  This article grabbed my attention immediately, as I was surprised that schizophrenia was comprised of so many genetic disorders.  It put into perspective why many diseases and disorders are so hard to treat.  Many disorders lack a single genetic disorder to target.  Instead researchers are responsible for finding the best treatment that targets all of the genetic disorders as a whole.  I find it fascinating how researchers continue to develop new treatment methods regardless of the obstacles they are faced with.

[1] Article:http://www.newsweek.com/schizophrenia-actually-eight-distinct-genetic-disorders-according-new-study-271407

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