For years, scholars worldwide have been expounding the complexities and the elusive nature of schizophrenia. The chronic mental disorder affects millions of people worldwide, with symptoms that range from psychosis to agitation and emotional detachment.
In recent years, researchers have been keen on unraveling the genetic roots of the condition.
Genetic Causes of Schizophrenia
Over the years, researchers have been exploring the interplay between genetics and environmental factors in the development of the disorder.
And although environmental factors such as exposure to smoke and prenatal infections have been associated with schizophrenia, genetics has been a critical area of focus in recent years.
Research on Neuregulin 1
One of the most celebrated discoveries in recent times is the discovery of neuregulin 1 (NRG1), a gene found on chromosome 8p12.
Among other things, the gene plays a crucial role in the development of the nervous system and crucially influences the function of glutamate, a neurotransmitter heavily involved in cognitive processes such as perception and attention.
Studies have identified the NRG1 gene as one of the significant risk factors for schizophrenia.
Although the exact correlation between the gene and the disorder is still under investigation, it’s believed that variations in NRG1 disrupt the glutamate transmission process, leading to cognitive dysfunctions among individuals with the condition.
Candidate Genes Involved in Synaptic Function
Studies have been examining the complex interaction between different genes involved in synaptic function and their role in the onset of schizophrenia.
Among the prominent genes under study include dopamine receptor 3 (DRD3), calcium voltage-gated channels subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C), and v-akt Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homolog 1 (AKT1).
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While DRD3 regulates dopamine metabolism, which plays a crucial role in cognitive processes, CACNA1C plays a role in calcium ion channel activity and influences memory formation.
On the other hand, AKT1, which is involved in the signaling pathway, has been linked to the development of prefrontal cortex dysfunction, a core symptom of schizophrenia.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Schizophrenia
MicroRNAs, which are small RNA molecules, have been noted to play a crucial role in gene regulation and the development of schizophrenia.
Studies have particularly noted downregulation of microRNA-132 (miR-132), which is involved in synaptic plasticity, as a risk factor for schizophrenia development.
Research has also shown that dysregulation of microRNA-137 (miR-137) inhibits the production of neurite-creating behavior known as neurogenesis, hindering the formation of neural networks and cognitive functions.
Epigenetic Causes of Schizophrenia
Epigenetics refer to heritable modifications of gene expression that occur without alterations to the DNA sequence.
Research has noted that epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation, acetylation, and histone modification have been associated with the development of schizophrenia.
Studies have shown that epigenetic modifications in genes influencing neurodevelopment and synaptic functions such as cadherin-associated protein-coding gene 1 (CDH7), disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), and reelin (RELN) increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Conclusion
Research on the genetics of schizophrenia has made significant progress in recent years, uncovering groundbreaking discoveries on the interplay between genes, synaptic functions, and neural activity.
These studies improve our understanding of the complexities of the condition, set a foundation for future drug development, and provide crucial insights into potential prevention and treatment strategies.
