Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2001 Mar;46(2):123-30.
doi: 10.1177/070674370104600202.

Genetic counselling for schizophrenia in the era of molecular genetics

K A Hodgkinson  1 , J Murphy, S O'Neill, L Brzustowicz, A S Bassett
Affiliations
Review

Genetic counselling for schizophrenia in the era of molecular genetics

K A Hodgkinson et al. Can J Psychiatry. 2001 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To review the role of genetic counselling for individuals with psychiatric illnesses.

Method: Using schizophrenia as an example and including updated information about a genetic subtype (22q deletion syndrome), we discuss the value of the genetic counselling process in psychiatry, with support from the literature and our clinical experience.

Results: Genetic counselling, the process through which knowledge about the genetics of illnesses is shared, provides information on the inheritance of illnesses and their recurrence risks; addresses the concerns of patients, their families, and their health care providers; and supports patients and their families dealing with these illnesses. For comprehensive medical management, this service should be available to all individuals with schizophrenia and their families.

Conclusions: New findings in the genetics of psychiatric illness may have important clinical implications for patients and their families.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Definition of genetic counselling: American Society of Human Genetics: 1975 Ad Hoc Committee on Genetic Counselling
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

    1. Erlenmeyer-Kimling L. Schizophrenia: a bag of dilemmas. Soc Biol. 1976;23:123–34. - PubMed
    1. Book J, Wetterberg L. Management of schizophrenic psychoses: implications of genetic and metabolic investigations. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1979;34:71–9. - PubMed
    1. Kay D. Assessment of familial risks in the functional psychoses and their application in genetic counselling. Br J Psychiatry. 1978;133:385–403. - PubMed
    1. Karlsson J. Inheritance of schizophrenia. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1974;47:1–116. - PubMed
    1. Crowe R. Is genetic counselling appropriate for psychiatric illness. In: Brady J, Brodie H, editors. Controversy in psychiatry. Philadelphia: Saunders; 1978.

Publication types

Grants and funding