Genetics of schizophrenia in the context of integrative psychiatry.
Epidemiological studies suggest a strong heritability in schizophrenia. Positive family history is the greatest risk factor for developing schizophrenia. However, regarding the genetic factors in schizophrenia, there is a lot of the inconsistency (i.e. non-replication) in the literature of the associations of different genes with schizophrenia. The presence of a single gene is neither sufficient, nor necessary to cause schizophrenia. The understanding of the genetic basis of schizophrenia is complex. Besides different gene polymorphisms, numerous environmental factors, interacting with genes, contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia. Such factors include the use of street drugs, childhood head injury, maternal infection during pregnancy, paternal age at conception, stressful life events and urban upbringing. While knowing genetic risks, integrative psychiatry may have a role in reducing other modifiable risk factors, including reduction of stress level, stress management strategies, family consultation/education, education against street drugs use, treatment of prodromal symptoms and development of social skills.
Sagud
Marina
M
University Psychiatric Clinic Rebro, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kispatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. weekend@paris.com
Mihaljević-Peles
Alma
A
Pivac
Nela
N
Muck-Seler
Dorotea
D
Simunović
Ivona
I
Jakovljević
Miro
M
D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D004843:Epistasis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010331:Paternal Age; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000592:standards; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012560:Schizophrenia, Catatonic / Q000235:genetics; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control