Genetic Research and its Revolutionary? Contributions to Schizophrenia Prevention

Abstract

For over a century, physicians, neurologists, psychiatrists, biologists, and eventually geneticists have been working hard to answer the question: what causes schizophrenia and its related disorders? In earlier days of research, much of the focus was placed on the treatment of such conditions, and scientists have made great advancements in this area. For example, in the early 19th century, it was typical to see patients with schizophrenia exhibit catatonia, which is a symptom characterized by a decrease in reactivity to environmental stimuli. These patients were stuck within these states for days or weeks. Now, catatonia is treated with benzodiazepines, and patients can return to noncatatonic functioning over a much shorter period of time. Sienart et al., 2014). This pharmacological discovery has improved the lives of schizophrenia patients dramatically and has shifted the typical symptomology observed in this disorder. Yet, the question remains: what causes this disorder, and can we use that knowledge to prevent its development in the first place? Investigations into the etiology (or causes) of schizophrenia have proven to be less fruitful than their treatment-based counterparts. The knowledge that schizophrenia is at least partially genetic motivated a surge of investigations into the human genome. This research began with studies using molecular genetics, a method proven to be incredibly effective in discoveries into etiology of other genetic diseases. With the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP), genome-wide investigations came to the forefront. It was initially projected that the data collected from the HGP would revolutionize the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses. However, 20 years after this prediction was made, the etiology of these conditions remains unclear, as the nature of these illnesses has been found to be difficult to discern through genetic studies.