An overview of the genetic risk of developing schizophrenia in relatives of schizophrenic patients

Abstract

In this article, we review the recent research evidence of genetic risks in the relatives of patients with schizophrenia, with particular focus on family, twin, adoptive, and gene studies. All current evidence supports a greater role for genetic transmission of vulnerability in the etiology of schizophrenia. Environmental factors appear to play an important role in the timing of expression, the severity and the clinical evolution of the illness.