In the largest genome-wide study of its kind, researchers have
uncovered several rare genetic variations that can increase the risk of
schizophrenia by up to 60 times.
Researchers have identified eight regions of the genome that hold mutations linked to schizophrenia.
The research team - comprised of more than 260 scientists across the globe - recently reported their findings in the journal Nature Genetics.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts, and agitated body movements.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 21 million people worldwide are affected by schizophrenia, with the disorder being more common among males than females.
In the United States, schizophrenia is estimated to affect around 3.5 million people, making it one of the leading causes of disability in the country.
In recent years, researchers have been learning more about the genetic causes of schizophrenia. Earlier this year, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study revealing how a variant of a gene called C4 contributes to schizophrenia development.
Now, an international team of researchers from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium
- led by Jonathan Sebat, Ph.D., of the University of California-San
Diego School of Medicine - has uncovered further genetic variations that
raise the risk of schizophrenia.
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