Schizophrenia-Evolution Link Found

(September 5, 2007) -- Genes associated with the debilitating condition schizophrenia have developed rapidly as humans have continued to evolve, research shows.

A team of scientists focused on a number of genes closely associated with the disease and found that they had been "positively selected" throughout genetic evolution, despite the negative effects schizophrenia can have on health.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder in which the process of thinking becomes disordered. Around 1% of the world's population suffer from the illness, usually occurring between the ages of 18 to 25 in men and 26 to 45 in women.

Scientists found the genes associated with schizophrenia were being genetically selected to go forward despite the negative effects the disease has on reproductive fitness and that the illness sometimes runs within families.

The precise cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, making it difficult to treat.

But the latest findings back up one theory that the disease could be a by-product of rapid human evolution.

Dr Dorus said: "The world-wide presence of this disorder at an appreciable frequency, despite its impact on human health and reproductive fitness, is somewhat of a paradox.

"This may be explained by the existing theory that the condition represents in part a by-product of adaptive changes during human evolution.

"Schizophrenia has also been associated with creativity throughout recorded history but whether this link has a genetic basis is certainly not clear."

It is hoped these findings will help scientists gain a greater understanding of the disease, which could eventually lead to the discovery of how and why schizophrenia is caused.

Source: Press Association

Last updated: 09/07

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