Evidence for anticipation in schizophrenia

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · American Journal of Human Genetics; (United States)

OSTI ID:6974243

Bassett, A S ^[1]; Honer, W G ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Toronto (Canada)
2. Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver (Canada)

Anticipation, or increasing severity of a disorder across successive generations, is a genetic phenomenon with an identified molecular mechanism: expansion of unstable trinucleotide repeat sequences. This study examined anticipation in familial schizophrenia. Three generations of siblines from the affected side of families selected for unilineal, autosomal dominant-like inheritance of schizophrenia were studied (n = 186). Across generations more subjects were hospitalized with psychotic illness (P<.0001), at progressively earlier ages (P<.0001), and with increasing severity of illness (P<.0003). The results indicate that anticipation is present in familial schizophrenia. These findings support both an active search for unstable trinucleotide repeat sequences in schizophrenia and reconsideration of the genetic model used for linkage studies in this disorder. 32 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 6974243
• Journal Information: American Journal of Human Genetics; (United States), Journal Name: American Journal of Human Genetics; (United States) Vol. 54:5; ISSN AJHGAG; ISSN 0002-9297
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400* -- Genetics
550900 -- Pathology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
EXPANSION
GENETICS
MENTAL DISORDERS
MUTATIONS
PATHOGENESIS