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Association strategy; candidate genes/sites; linkage analysis; neurotransmitters; schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with a polygenic mode of inheritance which is also governed by non-genetic factors. Candidate genes identified on the basis of biochemical and pharmacological evidence are being tested for linkage and association studies. Neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and serotonin have been widely implicated in its etiology. Genome scan of all human chromosomes with closely spaced polymorphic markers is being used for linkage studies. The completion and availability of the first draft of Human Genome Sequence has provided a treasure-trove that can be utilized to gain insight into the so far inaccessible regions of the human genome. Significant technological advances for identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and use of microarrays have further strengthened research methodologies for genetic analysis of complex traits. In this review, we summarize the evolution of schizophrenia genetics from the past to the present, current trends and future direction of research.

Suman Prasad¹ Prachi Semwal¹ Smita Deshpande^{1 2} Triptish Bhatia¹ V LNimgaonkar^{1 3} B K Thelma¹

1. Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, New Delhi - 110 021, India
2. Department of Psychiatry, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi - 110 001, India
3. Department of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA - 15213, USA

Published

February 2002