Evidence for Genetic Origins
Twin, family, and adoption studies over the past 100 years have indicated the importance of genetic factors in schizophrenia. Three main findings support genes as being the principal cause of schizophrenia....
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Family and Genetic Linkage Studies
We have found evidence that genes that predispose to developing schizophrenia are likely to be on chromosomes 1 and 13. In this study we are following families with a familial form of schizophrenia, that is where several family members have schizophrenia.
Over 400 individuals from 30 large Canadian families have participated in this study so far. Participation has included obtaining detailed family information, conducting psychiatric assessments of several family members and obtaining a DNA sample from interested family members....
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22q11 Deletion Syndrome
22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22qDS), which is also known as velocardiofacial syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome, has multiple possible features, including: learning difficulties, speech or palate problems, characteristic but subtle facial features, congenital (present at birth) cardiac (heart) defects, other birth defects,
and hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood).
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A Genetic Subtype of Schizophrenia
The only syndrome with enough evidence to represent a genetic subtype of schizophrenia is 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22qDS). 22qDS is associated with a chromosomal abnormality - a small deletion on chromosome 22q11.2....
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Genetic Counselling and Potential Ethical Issues in Genetic Studies of Schizophrenia
If individual susceptibility genes are identified, will presymptomatic screening for schizophrenia ever become available? This would perhaps be possible for a rare subset of individuals from families in which a major susceptibility gene has been identified. However, one must consider whether, how and at what age such testing would be appropriate....
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