TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluating historical candidate genes for schizophrenia

AU - Farrell, M S

AU - Werge, T

AU - Sklar, P

AU - Owen, M J

AU - Ophoff, R A

AU - O'Donovan, M C

AU - Corvin, A

AU - Cichon, S

AU - Sullivan, P F

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Prior to the genome-wide association era, candidate gene studies were a major approach in schizophrenia genetics. In this invited review, we consider the current status of 25 historical candidate genes for schizophrenia (for example, COMT, DISC1, DTNBP1 and NRG1). The initial study for 24 of these genes explicitly evaluated common variant hypotheses about schizophrenia. Our evaluation included a meta-analysis of the candidate gene literature, incorporation of the results of the largest genomic study yet published for schizophrenia, ratings from informed researchers who have published on these genes, and ratings from 24 schizophrenia geneticists. On the basis of current empirical evidence and mostly consensual assessments of informed opinion, it appears that the historical candidate gene literature did not yield clear insights into the genetic basis of schizophrenia. A likely reason why historical candidate gene studies did not achieve their primary aims is inadequate statistical power. However, the considerable efforts embodied in these early studies unquestionably set the stage for current successes in genomic approaches to schizophrenia.

AB - Prior to the genome-wide association era, candidate gene studies were a major approach in schizophrenia genetics. In this invited review, we consider the current status of 25 historical candidate genes for schizophrenia (for example, COMT, DISC1, DTNBP1 and NRG1). The initial study for 24 of these genes explicitly evaluated common variant hypotheses about schizophrenia. Our evaluation included a meta-analysis of the candidate gene literature, incorporation of the results of the largest genomic study yet published for schizophrenia, ratings from informed researchers who have published on these genes, and ratings from 24 schizophrenia geneticists. On the basis of current empirical evidence and mostly consensual assessments of informed opinion, it appears that the historical candidate gene literature did not yield clear insights into the genetic basis of schizophrenia. A likely reason why historical candidate gene studies did not achieve their primary aims is inadequate statistical power. However, the considerable efforts embodied in these early studies unquestionably set the stage for current successes in genomic approaches to schizophrenia.

KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease

KW - Genetic Variation

KW - Genome-Wide Association Study

KW - Genomics

KW - Genotype

KW - History, 20th Century

KW - History, 21st Century

KW - Humans

KW - PubMed

KW - Schizophrenia

U2 - 10.1038/mp.2015.16

DO - 10.1038/mp.2015.16

M3 - Review

C2 - 25754081

VL - 20

SP - 555

EP - 562

JO - Molecular Psychiatry

JF - Molecular Psychiatry

SN - 1359-4184

ER -