Abstract
The familial–genetic relationship between affective and schizophrenic disorders is receiving a re-emergence of interest. The reasons are a series of cross-diagnostic molecular-genetic discoveries: specific alleles in the genes for dysbindin (DTNBP1), neuregulin (NRG1) and DAOA (G72/G30) reveal associations for each of both groups of disorders in the same direction in some but not all reported studies. These findings cannot just be false positives because of confirming metaanalyses. Furthermore there is some pathophysiological support: the mentioned genes are involved in biochemical pathways, which are contributing to both disorders partly in a similar and partly in a different manner. The new levels of evidence enrich the classical continuity/discontinuity debate on the relationship between both groups of disorders.
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The author has received research grants from the following companies or is, respectively, member of the Advisory Boards or draws a fee for speech from: Astra Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilliy, Janssen Cilag, Lundbeeck, Merck, Pfizer, Sanofi Aventis, Schering, Böhringer.
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Maier, W. Common risk genes for affective and schizophrenic psychoses. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosc 258 (Suppl 2), 37–40 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-2008-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-008-2008-z