What is schizophrenia? Insights from genomics

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that arises from both genetic and environmental risk factors. It has a heritability of 60–80%, much of which is attributable to common risk alleles. Recent advances in genomic technologies, as well as international collaboration, have led to an unprecedented period of genomic discovery in schizophrenia, that is shaping a new understanding of the disorder. Presenting an overview of these findings, this talk will focus on the results of two recent, large-scale genomic studies of schizophrenia that have demonstrated important contributions from both common and rare risk alleles. These studies highlight overlapping genes and converging biology including fundamental neurological processes relating to synaptic organisation and transmission. This talk will explore the meaning of these genetic findings for our understanding of schizophrenia and their wider impact.