Clinical: Genetic Explanation (Sz)

Question 1

How many genes are in the human Genome?

Answer 1

23,000 genes

Question 2

What do genes consist of?

Answer 2

DNA strands which holds instructions for general physical features of an organism and psychological functioning.

Question 3

What is the heritability of schizophrenia?
What does this suggest?

Answer 3

79%
Which suggests a large role for genetic factors in determining the disorder.

Question 4

How can gene mutations cause schizophrenia?

Answer 4

In the absence of family history, the DNA code in one or more genes may spontaneously change. Resulting from an environmental factor or an error during cell division. For example, DiGeorge syndrome is caused by the deletion of around 30 to 40 neighbouring genes located in the chromosome, 22,25% of people with this condition develop schizophrenia

Question 5

What is the diathesis stress model?

Answer 5

It explains that genes create a vulnerability for schizophrenia rather than a cause. You may possess schizophrenic genes, but the condition is only triggered by other biological or environmental affects. For example, harsh parenting.

Question 6

Evaluate the supporting evidence of the biological explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

Twin studies: Gottesman and shields
Found a 48% concordance rate in monozygotic twins which have identification genes. Do genes can credibly provide a partial explanation of schizophrenia.

Question 7

What is the opposing evidence to the biological explanation?

Answer 7

Reductionist:
There isn’t 100% concordance meaning there are other environmental factors at play and the data itself may be unreliable as MZ twins share the same environment.

Question 8

What is a different theory than a biological explanation?

Answer 8

Reductionist:
Ignores social and cultural factors and how environment and upbringing can cause schizophrenia to identify.

Question 9

What is the application of the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?

Answer 9

Early treatment:
If a person is closely related to someone with schizophrenia we can treat them earlier so they are prepared if they do develop it.

Question 10

What is the prevalence of two MZ twins both having schizophrenia?
What is the percentage for DZ?
How common is it to appear in the general public?

Answer 10

48%= Mz
17%= Dz
1%= General population

Question 11

What twin study showed concordance rates for schizophrenia?

Answer 11

Gottesman and shields