Genetics, Childhood Adversity, and Schizophrenia

In the science world today, genetic markers for disease are an extremely popular topic. Since the human genome was sequenced, researchers have been studying human DNA in an attempt to detect and gain information from these genetic markers. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is one type of these markers. From a SNP or other marker in DNA, scientists can evaluate the risk associated with the marker and a disease.
So, if I get tested and have a marker for some disease I will have that disease someday, right? Well, maybe.
There is a misconception that if a marker is present in DNA that that person will definitely have the disease associated with that marker, but that is not necessarily the case. Today’s genetic testing has the ability to predict the risk of developing a disease based on genetic markers, but scientists cannot yet say, “Because this marker is present there is a 100% chance this disease will happen.” Some markers are associated with higher risk than others, but there is no money-back guarantee on a genetic test for predicting disease.
Here is a video that explains the genetics behind disease. It highlights the discovery of a gene that has potential to help develop the understanding of schizophrenia and how it could help, but, because of the complexity of disease, why that may not help predict the disease or develop a treatment.

The genetic markers associated with schizophrenia are no different. Researchers have identified a number of genetic markers that are associated with developing schizophrenia later in life, but there have been a number of studies done with identical twins, meaning they have the same DNA sequence, in which only one twin develops schizophrenia. Two people may have the same genetic marker, but only one develops schizophrenia. This is not to say there is no correlation between genetic markers and disease, but it is not a guarantee either.
Because of these findings, researchers are looking at environmental factors that can, in combination with genetic markers, better predict schizophrenia. Recent research examining the interaction of genetics and childhood adversity has had conflicting results. One study by Trotta et al. showed no link between schizophrenia and childhood adversity, but they acknowledged that there are some studies with the same results and others with conflicting results.
Obviously, further research is necessary in order to find any possible link between genetics, childhood adversity, and schizophrenia. Further research is important as it could have significant clinical importance. Any breakthrough that could allow for prediction of a disease would create opportunities to help target the onset of the disease. Because schizophrenia is such a costly mental illness, intervention to prevent it or developing public health strategies would be beneficial.