Specific genes involved in schizophrenia identified for the first time

Landmark research, involving scientists at UCL, has for the first time identified ten genes with extremely rare protein-disrupting mutations, that significantly increase an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia. In a linked paper researchers also identified an unprecedented number of genetic links to schizophrenia in the human genome - the body's DNA blueprint. The findings are the combined work of hundreds of researchers across 45 countries, who analysed DNA from 76,755 people with schizophrenia and 243,649 without it to better understand the genes and biological processes underpinning the condition. While previous research has shown associations between schizophrenia and many DNA regions, this is the first to pin-point specific genes. Researchers say the studies are a breakthrough in our understanding of the basis of schizophrenia. and provide the strongest evidence yet of a genetic cause. Professor Andrew McQuillin, co-author* of the papers and head of the UCL Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory (UCL Division of Psychiatry), said: "We have now been able to detect specific genes, a necessary step in the challenging journey towards understanding the causes and mechanisms of any disorder.