Caucasian Schizophrenia Gene Discovered

Researchers from the University of Iowa have discovered that a specific gene segment can cause a form of schizophrenia in around 2 percent of caucasians. It also seems that most people who have this genetic variation do not actually develop schizophrenia. The variation, originally discovered in 1994, is an X-chromosome gene polymorphism, and is known as known as HOPA12pb.

The researchers suggest that this particular form of schizophrenia has favorable treatment outcomes, and they even report that this gene is associated with "overall benefits for human survival" (according to a press release).

Read a summary in this Iowa City Press-Citizen article