Genetic and environmental factors involved in schizophrenia development

Cardoso, Inês Lopes; Silva, Juliana

http://hdl.handle.net/10284/8591

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Authors

Cardoso, Inês Lopes

Silva, Juliana

Abstract(s)

Due to its complexity, schizophrenia is an intriguing disorder being described as a heterogeneous and multifactorial disease. It is characterized by the presence of a psychotic behavior, unrealistic and disorganized thinking, and a marked social dysfunction. This disorder affects 1% of world population presenting a high impact at family level and huge expenditure on public health. In this paper we intend to perform a bibliographic search concerning the genetic and environmental risk factors involved in schizophrenia development. A bibliographic search was performed using the words: schizophrenia, genetic factors, non-genetic factors, multifactorial heritage. Criteria used in papers selection included the interest of the subject, limiting the search to scientific papers written in English or Portuguese, with publication date in a 10 years period or of previous years when the content and experimental evidences were relevant for the theme. As results of this search, it was seen that the genetic influence in this pathology is well stablished, however, the exact nature of the type of transmission is not clear yet. Several environmental factors involved in schizophrenia development have already been identified. Available data allow to conclude that, in most cases, the genetic component consists of multiple genes acting additively, being the genotype expressed only when the number of genes and non-genetic factors present is above a threshold number.