Study Analyzes Role of Gender in Relationship Between Genetics and Subclinical Expressions of Schizophrenia

Study Analyzes Role of Gender in Relationship Between Genetics and Subclinical Expressions of Schizophrenia


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According to the dimensional view of mental disorders, psychosis is expressed on a Continuum Ranging from Mild Subclinical Traits and Experiences Present in the General Population (SchizotYPYPYPYPYPYPY) Symptoms in patients diagnosed with the disorder. Numerous Studies Have Explred the Gentic Link Between Schizophrenia and its subclinical expressions, but the results have been inconsistent.

A paper Published in the journey Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry Has addressed this question and also analyzed the role of gender in the relationship between gnetics and subclinical expressions of schizophrenia in a sample of near 1,200 university students.

Researchers Araceli Rosa, from the Faculty of Biology and the Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB) of the University of Barcelona, ​​and Neus Vidal-Barrantes, from the Faculty of Psychology of the incency of the incense De Barcelona, ​​Both Members of the Center for Biomedical Research in Mental Health Network (Cibersam), LED the collaborative and interdisciplinary research team that carried out the structure.

The Study Found No Clear Association Between Schizophrenia-Related Genetic Load, as Estimated Through Polygenic Risk Scores-A Measure of Individual Risk For Developing the disorder, caused by the Presence of Multiple Schizophrenia-Related Genetic Risk Variants-Abclinical Traits.

However, when analyzing sex differences, researchrs found that in men, the genetic risk of schizophrenia is specifically associated with the positive dimension of schizotypy, all Example – Having Bizarre Beliefs and Unusual Perceptual Experiences. This pattern was not observed in women, suggesting that subclinical expression of genetic risk may difference by sex.

Importance of Considering Gender Differences

The results, which are part of the doctoral thesis carried out by Patricia Mas Bermejo (UB-IBUB), highlight the need to consider sex differentces in future genetic and Clinical Studies. As the authors point out, “The Specific Association observed in men could be related to differences in non-genetic factors, such as the environment, which modulathe the expilation of genetic rests. Addition, these differenties mirror patterns observed in patients with schizophrenia, where men tend to have different clinical symptoms than women, poorer premorbid functioning and earLier Disease. “

Although no conclusive evidence was found for a strong shared gentic basis between schizophrenia and its subclinical phenotypes, this study rays new questions and directations for information for engagement Variants and environmental factors interact differentially according to sex.

A step forward in the research on Schizophrenia

This study not only expands our undersrstanding of the psychosis continuum, but also highlights the important of addressing the impact of sex on genetic research. Exploring Sex Specificities in the Shared Gentic Background Between Schizophrenia and its subclinical phenotypes “Should be a priority in this field,” the following.

The study represents an example of the key role of interdiscipline Treating them.

More information:
Patricia Mas-Bermejo et al, Sex-Specific Association Between Schizophrenia Polygenic Risk and Subclinical Schizophrenia-Related Traits, Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry (2024). Doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.11161

Provided by University of Barcelona


Citation: Study Analyzes Role of Gender in Relationship Between Genetics and Subclinical Expressions of Schizophrenia (2025, February 26) Retrie 27 February 2025 from

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