Scz: Genetics

Question 1

Chances of getting scz?

Answer 1

1% Normal population
13% child
17% DZ twin
48% MZ twin

Question 2

What did Kendler et al find?

Answer 2

1st degree relatives of those with scz are 18 times more at risk than the general population. Children with both parents who suffer from scz have a concordance rate of 48%

Question 3

What did Sherrington find?

Answer 3

A gene located on chromosome 5 has been linked to scz

Question 4

What have these genetic differences been suggested to cause?

Answer 4

• Critical neural pathways in the brain to be disrupted or damaged
• these genes may be adaptive providing creative ways of thinking so the mutations are selected for
• it alters how the brain works e.g. sensitivity to certain chemicals

Question 5

What is the concordance? Problem with this?

Answer 5

If it was purely genetic we would expect MZ twins to have 100% concordance rate but they didn’t.