DNA Banking to Assess Genetic Influences on Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders globally, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 0.3% to 0.7%, characterized by the heterogeneous presence of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms that affect all aspects of mental activity. We aimed to describe the genetics of schizophrenia to widening our understanding of the inheritance of this illness.  

This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Razi psychiatric hospital in Tehran province, Iran. Recruitment of the study samples was conducted in Tehran, Iran, among patients with schizophrenia and their families. For this purpose, individuals with schizophrenia in 40 families with at least 1 to 2 affected members were identified and selected based on a clinical interview conducted by a psychiatrist and according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. The clinical and paraclinical data, drug and substance usage, and medical treatments were collected through a standardized clinical questionnaire. Besides, the Global Assessment Scale and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale were completed for all study participants.  

A total of 22 families had a negative family history, and 1 affected member and the rest of the studied families had a positive family history and at least 2 affected members. In addition, genealogical data (family tree) and lymphoblastic cell categories were developed to examine genes, and subsequent research results will be reported in the future.  

As the research continues, the approach to sampling must be modified to ensure that the deoxyribonucleic acid bank is as extensively representative as possible of all schizophrenia cases.