Genomic insights into schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: The precise aetiology of schizophrenia, a disorder of the mind affecting the behaviour, perception and even cognition of individuals still remains elusive according to current knowledge, although recent findings propose that biological and environmental factors have a role to play in its causology. Since schizophrenia became recognised, psychiatrists have proposed different theories in a bid to explain the aetiogenesis and pathophysiology of this illness. This review aims to utilise the current findings from genetic and genomic studies to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this disorder.

Methods: A comprehensive review of relevant literature in genomic and genetic studies on schizophrenia was conducted. The literature sources included Google Scholar, National Library of Medicine, Nature Genetics, Elsevier, Spring Nature, Psychiatry Online.

Result: Findings from the field of psychiatry genetics highlight some genes and chromosomal abnormalities associated with schizophrenia. This demonstrates the significant efforts made to understand the molecular basis of this illness. Notwithstanding, the pathophysiology of schizophrenia still remains incompletely understood.

Conclusion: Although the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders still remain poorly understood, the field of psychiatry genetics still holds immense promise to push the boundaries of current knowledge. The evolution of
the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of schizophrenia demonstrates that the depth of exploration of the genome depends largely on the sophistication of genomic tools available. Therefore, stakeholders in psychiatry and genomics should embrace and invest in innovative technologies that will advance knowledge and inherently improve patient care.