Schizophrenia risk increases 10-fold with genetic mutation

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Researchers from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, have identified a risk gene mutation for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that increases chances of developing the conditions by more than 10-fold. The team says they found this mutation is inherited from a distant but common European ancestor.

The international team, led by Prof. Aiden Corvin at Trinity's School of Medicine, says identifying this genetic mutation provides the medical community with insight into potential risk mechanisms for these disorders, the cause of which is poorly understood.

Results of their study are published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics.

Although treatments are available for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and evidence is increasingly suggesting these disorders share common genetic risk factors, the team says response to treatments varies and knowledge of the underlying biology has mostly eluded scientists.

Bipolar disorder affects around 4% of the world's population, and schizophrenia impacts around 51 million people around the world (about 1% of the world's population), the team says.

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Schizophrenia risk increases 10-fold with genetic mutation