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Testing the Monogenic Theory of Schizophrenia

An Application of Segregation Analysis to Blind Family Study Data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Ming T. Tsuang ,
Kathleen D. Bucher  and
Jerome A. Fleming
Ming T. Tsuang
Affiliation:
University of Iowa College of Medicine, 500 Newton Road, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
Kathleen D. Bucher
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Iowa College of Medicine; currently Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan
Jerome A. Fleming
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine
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Summary

Segregation analysis was applied to blind family data concerning schizophrenia to decide if the transmission of schizophrenia could be explained by a single major gene. Our results showed that the Mendelian model was unacceptable. Therefore, the monogenic hypothesis could not account for the transmission of schizophrenia. Since the hypothesis of no parent-child transmission was also not accepted, there was an indication that some form of vertical transmission existed which could be psychosocial, or an interaction between genetic and psychosocial factors. Our results suggest genetic heterogeneity in schizophrenia. Currently available clinical criteria for defining subgroups must be improved in conjunction with detection of biological indicators so that segregation analysis of family data could be effectively used in determining modes of transmission in schizophrenia.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 140 , Issue 6 , June 1982 , pp. 595 - 599
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1982 

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