Psychiatric Disorders may be Genetic: Study

Psychiatric Disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder may be genetic. Psychiatric disorders may have important molecular similarities that are not reflected in current diagnostic categories.

Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder may be genetic, whereas neurological disorders like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, appear more distinct, reports a new study. The findings of the study are published in the journal Science.

The study indicated that psychiatric disorders are likely to have important similarities at a molecular level, which current diagnostic categories do not reflect.

About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms of thought, behavior and social problems.

‘Psychiatric Disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder may be genetic. Psychiatric disorders may have important molecular similarities, which current diagnostic categories do not reflect.’

"This work is starting to re-shape how we think about disorders of the brain. If we can uncover the genetic influences and patterns of overlap between different disorders, then we might be able to better understand the root causes of these conditions -- and potentially identify specific mechanisms appropriate for tailored treatments," said lead co-senior author, Ben Neale from Stanley Centre at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Massachusetts.

In the study, the team measured the amount of genetic overlap across the disorders using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 265,218 patients and 784,643 controls.

They also examined the relationships between brain disorders and 17 physical or cognitive measures, such as years of education, from 1,191,588 individuals.

Commonly Used Food Preservative Enhances Schizophrenia Treatment
Sodium benzoate, when used as an add-on treatment was effective in those who are resistant to a drug widely used for schizophrenia.

The results showed widespread genetic overlap across different types of psychiatric disorders, particularly between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.

The data also indicated strong overlap between anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as between OCD and Tourette syndrome.

Gene Linked To Schizophrenia Risk Determines Early Brain Development
ZNF804A gene affects the structure and function of the brain during early fetal development leading to the risk of schizophrenia.

Conversely, neurological disorders except for a migraine, which was genetically correlated with ADHD, major depressive disorder, and Tourette syndrome, appeared to be distinct.

Further, they noted that genetic factors predisposing individuals to certain psychiatric disorders -- namely anorexia, autism, bipolar, and OCD -- were significantly correlated with factors associated with higher childhood cognitive measures, including more years of education and college attainment.

Yogurt Helps Ease Psychiatric Symptoms in Schizophrenia Patients
Candida yeast contributes to bowel difficulties in men with schizophrenia but treatment with probiotics could treat general psychiatric symptoms and bowel function.

"We were surprised that genetic factors of some neurological diseases, normally associated with the elderly, were negatively linked to genetic factors affecting early cognitive measures. It was also surprising that the genetic factors related to many psychiatric disorders were positively correlated with educational attainment," said first author, Verneri Anttila from the varsity.

Source-IANS