AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Schizophrenia is thought to be polygenic, with lots of different genes contributing to an increased risk of developing it. It is also aetiologically heterogeneous, meaning different combinations of genes are implicated in the disorder. Ripke et al (2014) found 108 genetic variations associated with schizophrenia.

Detailed explanation-2: -The major findings are that schizophrenia is a highly polygenic disorder with a complex array of risk loci, many include genes implicated also in intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Detailed explanation-3: -Models of Genetic Transmission The monogenic model of schizophrenia was attractive for a variety of reasons, e.g., simplicity, a hope of discovering a corresponding, simple pathophysiological mechanism, and because it fitted into available theoretical options (i.e., recessive, dominant, with varying penetrance).

Detailed explanation-4: -Genetics. Schizophrenia tends to run in families, but no single gene is thought to be responsible. It’s more likely that different combinations of genes make people more vulnerable to the condition. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean you’ll develop schizophrenia.

Detailed explanation-5: -Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) PRS based on the PGC schizophrenia GWAS(1) represents a measure of genetic liability to schizophrenia. The higher an individual’s PRS, the higher his/her risk of schizophrenia.