4 ms·

I can't speak to its validity, but the way it was explained to me from a neuroscientist a few years ago is that the general hypothesis now is that some people h

I can't speak to its validity, but the way it was explained to me from a neuroscientist a few years ago is that the general hypothesis now is that some people have a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia and that predisposition sort of lies dormant until triggered. That would explain how both could be true: it could be genetic and triggered by environment/trauma.

peterfirefly 3y ago
There are enough cases of identical twins where one twin gets it and the other doesn't that we are certain it can't just be genetic. We are also certain that genes matter. We even know roughly which genes and that many of the variants that increase the risk are de novo mutations. We don't know much more than that, though.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- NoMoreNicksLeft 3y ago
  It's difficult to believe that there are many sets of identical twins out there where one was abused and the other treated well or whatever. Were these identicals raised apart, or together? Are there enough of each to see a difference in rates between those raised together and apart? Whatever the triggers are, I can't help but think that they're subtle and unmemorable.
- balfirevic 3y ago
  > There are enough cases of identical twins where one twin gets it and the other doesn't that we are certain it can't just be genetic. Strictly logically speaking, this is consistent with it being genetic + random chance (where the odds are determined only by your genes) - meaning no identifiable environmental factors. Not saying it is (nor would I know).
- jakeinspace 3y ago
  My grandmother’s twin sister developed schizophrenia, while my grandmother did not (though she did eventually suffer from Alzheimer’s). I have a moderately elevated genetic risk, and it’s something I do keep in mind. I believe her sister developed schizophrenia shortly after the 2 were separated from each other when my grandmother left for college, which is interesting timing.
- pazimzadeh 3y ago
  So, epigenenic
arrosenberg 3y ago
Sounds similar to T1 Diabetes in that way.
hirvi74 3y ago
I would not be surprised if the "dormant until triggered" explanation is true for most conditions. This seems to be pretty compelling observations for various disorders like Alzheimer's, various autoimmune conditions, etc. being caused or exacerbated by previous infections. It was the case for me. I apparently have the genes for a semi-rare autoimmune condition (Guttate Psoriasis) that was triggered after a bout of some kind of viral illness. Typically, step throat is the trigger for many with the disorder, but that was not the case for me.
lostlogin 3y ago
> That would explain how both could be true: it could be genetic and triggered by environment/trauma. With siblings it is likely both generics and environment are similar. In terms of trauma and episode triggering events, imagine the stress of living with a large family where several are schizophrenic.

peterfirefly 3y ago

There are enough cases of identical twins where one twin gets it and the other doesn't that we are certain it can't just be genetic. We are also certain that genes matter. We even know roughly which genes and that many of the variants that increase the risk are de novo mutations. We don't know much more than that, though.

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
NoMoreNicksLeft 3y ago
It's difficult to believe that there are many sets of identical twins out there where one was abused and the other treated well or whatever. Were these identicals raised apart, or together? Are there enough of each to see a difference in rates between those raised together and apart? Whatever the triggers are, I can't help but think that they're subtle and unmemorable.
balfirevic 3y ago
> There are enough cases of identical twins where one twin gets it and the other doesn't that we are certain it can't just be genetic. Strictly logically speaking, this is consistent with it being genetic + random chance (where the odds are determined only by your genes) - meaning no identifiable environmental factors. Not saying it is (nor would I know).
jakeinspace 3y ago
My grandmother’s twin sister developed schizophrenia, while my grandmother did not (though she did eventually suffer from Alzheimer’s). I have a moderately elevated genetic risk, and it’s something I do keep in mind. I believe her sister developed schizophrenia shortly after the 2 were separated from each other when my grandmother left for college, which is interesting timing.
pazimzadeh 3y ago
So, epigenenic

arrosenberg 3y ago

Sounds similar to T1 Diabetes in that way.

hirvi74 3y ago

I would not be surprised if the "dormant until triggered" explanation is true for most conditions. This seems to be pretty compelling observations for various disorders like Alzheimer's, various autoimmune conditions, etc. being caused or exacerbated by previous infections. It was the case for me. I apparently have the genes for a semi-rare autoimmune condition (Guttate Psoriasis) that was triggered after a bout of some kind of viral illness. Typically, step throat is the trigger for many with the disorder, but that was not the case for me.

lostlogin 3y ago

> That would explain how both could be true: it could be genetic and triggered by environment/trauma. With siblings it is likely both generics and environment are similar. In terms of trauma and episode triggering events, imagine the stress of living with a large family where several are schizophrenic.