An Exploratory Study of Endophenotype Markers for Schizophrenia

Genetic studies of schizophrenia have often been frustrated by the aetiological and pathological complexity of the disorder. One research strategy to address this issue is the use of endophenotype markers. The aim of this PhD thesis is to explore the validity of selected candidate endophenotype markers for schizophrenia by establishing the evidence that they may have some or indeed any relationship with the genetic risk for the disorder. I have studied a unique twin and family population, to describe the distribution of a variety of deficits as candidate markers in patients, their unaffected co-twins and relatives, and healthy controls, to explore the evidence for genetic and environmental influences on their distribution. I selected neurological soft signs, personality and social development, grey and white matter cerebral volumes, and regional neural activity during a phonological verbal fluency task. The results were most compelling for the developmental and verbal fluency markers, supporting their role as endophenotype markers. In comparative terms, this may relate more to methodological factors, than the markers inherent properties. All of the markers demonstrated that they met many endophenotype criteria.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Philosophy

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

King's College London

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Picchioni, Mark

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• McGuire, Philip
• Murray, Robin MacGregor

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:kclpure.kcl.ac.uk:studenttheses/fe32d176-e07d-4b19-88e2-6ec4ce86c286

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kclpure.kcl.ac.uk:studenttheses/fe32d176-e07d-4b19-88e2-6ec4ce86c286