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It has long been known that there is a genetic component to the risk of developing schizophrenia.[Gejman et al., 2010] Twin studies and adoption studies have produced some of the most compelling evidence for this.[Gejman et al., 2010] Any differences between identical twins are ascribed to the environment, whilst differences between non-identical twins can be ascribed to either genetics or the environment.[Gejman et al., 2010] Twin studies often calculate the concordance rate, which is the probability that one twin will develop a condition that their twin has developed.[Gejman et al., 2010] When comparing the concordance rates between identical and non-identical twins, a percentage heritability can be calculated.[Gejman et al., 2010] Adoption studies can further interrogate the influence of genetics, for example by studying children adopted by parents who have schizophrenia.[Gejman et al., 2010] In schizophrenia, twin studies and adoption studies support a significant role for genetic factors.[Gejman et al., 2010; Sadock et al., 2009]
References:
Gejman PV, Sanders AR, Duan J. The role of genetics in the etiology of schizophrenia. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2010; 33 (1): 35–66.
Sadock BJ, Sadock VA, Ruiz P (eds). Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 9th Edition. Vol 1. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009.
Keshavan MS, Nasrallah HA, Tandon R. Schizophrenia, “Just the Facts” 6. Moving ahead with the schizophrenia concept: from the elephant to the mouse. Schizophr Res 2011; 127 (1–3): 3–13.
Lakhan SE, Vieira KF. Schizophrenia pathophysiology: are we any closer to a complete model? Ann Gen Psychiatry 2009; 8: 12.
McGue M, Gottesman II. Genetic linkage in schizophrenia: perspectives from genetic epidemiology. Schizophr Bull 1989; 15 (3): 453–464.