Schizophrenia

Understand genetic explanations

for schizophrenia

Exam question.
There is considerable evidence that schizophrenia is caused by
biological factors. These can be genetic, neuroanatomical,
biochemical, viral or a combination of such factors.
Discuss biological explanations of schizophrenia.
(9 marks + 16 marks)

An interaction of factors
There are a number of explanations including cognitive and
evolutionary. The research suggests that a significant
contributing factor is the biological make-up of an individual.
There are a number of factors which combine and our
understanding is not complete. However.
The biological approach has given strongest explanation for
this condition and it appears that this is the key factor.
Biological explanation has two main elements;
- Genetics
- Biochemistry

Genetics
Research has focused on twin, family and adoption studies to
explore the role of genetics as a cause of schizophrenia.
Research supports the view that genetics play a role but it is
very difficult to determine how far environmental factors
contribute to the onset of the illness.
There is a large body of evidence which suggests a genetic
predisposition to schizophrenia and family, twin and adoption
studies indicate that there is a genetic factor.
It may be that there is an environmental trigger such as
stress which could lead to the onset or first episode of the illness
/ symptoms.

Research
Research has found significant concordance rates between MZ twins
(Torrey et al, 1994).
There is also evidence that 16% of children born to mothers with
schizophrenia (Parmas et al, 1993).
This would suggest a genetic link as the incidence rate in the general
population is just 1%.
There have also been specific chromosomes which have been found
to be associated with a high risk of schizophrenia (Gurling et al, 2006).
There is evidence that there are a number of genes connected with a
vulnerability to this illness. It cannot be down to a single gene or
genetic cause.

Evaluation
Twin studies suggest a genetic factor in the onset of
schizophrenia, but fail to consider the influence of class or
environmental factors.
These twin studies also ignore the role of shared environments
in the development of schizophrenia.
If genes were the main factor in the development of
schizophrenia then we would expect to see concordance rates
of 100% between MZ twins. This is not found in the research.
The range of concordance found in the research is large
(between family, twin and adoption studies).

Evaluation
Sample sizes from adoption and twin studies are often very small
and should be treated with caution.
There is evidence which supports the diathesis-stress model
that there is an inherited genetic predisposition which is
triggered by environmental factors and leads to the onset of
schizophrenia. This would explain why heritability is not 100%.
Gene mapping offers the hope of early identification of those who
are at risk of developing the illness. This carries huge ethical
concerns..
Q. If you could know if you were at high risk of developing this
condition would you want to and should you be told?!

Task
Create a mini presentation / display /
poster or ANYTHING which helps you
remember / learn / revise the genetic
and biological explanations of
schizophrenia.
We need to attempt this question next
week!