Recent progress in molecular genetic study of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, devastating chronic mental illness that affects approximately 1% of the general population worldwide. Family, twin and adoption studies have revealed that schizophrenia is a complex disease with a high genetic component in its etiology. The heritability of schizophrenia ranged from 50% to 80% in different studies. Since the etiology of schizophrenia is still obscure, it is essential to identify the gene or genes that cause schizophrenia, better understand the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and develop better treatment. In this review, I will present some strategies that are currently used by researchers who are attempting to pin down schizophrenic genes. Despite decades of intensive effort, schizophrenic genes are still elusive. Some of the drawbacks and pitfalls of these methodologies will also be discussed. With the remarkable progress of molecular genetics, we still optimistically believe that the genes for schizophrenia will eventually be identified, and the mystery of schizophrenia will be resolved in the near future. By that time, we will have a scientific basis to diagnose schizophrenic patients, develop better treatment for patients and prevent schizophrenia.