Genetic and Epigenetic Basis of Schizophrenia
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 1
Special Issue Editor
2. The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
Interests: epigenetics; gene–environment interactions; animal models of psychopathology; stress and resilience; transgenerational transmission of pathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder arising from both genetic and environmental factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous risk loci, underscoring the polygenic nature of the disorder. These include genes related to synaptic function, neurodevelopment, and immune pathways. However, individual variants have small effect sizes, pointing to the significance of gene–gene and gene–environment interactions. Epigenetic mechanisms, e.g., DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, play a key role in mediating environmental influences on gene expression. Factors like prenatal or early-life stress, maternal infection and adolescent stress or drug exposure can induce long-lasting epigenetic changes, potentially contributing to schizophrenia’s variable onset and presentation. In patients, altered methylation patterns have been observed in genes like /RELN/, /BDNF/, and /GAD1/, while dysregulation of microRNAs such as miR-132 and miR-137 has been linked to neuronal function and plasticity. Animal models have further illuminated the disorder’s epigenetic underpinnings. Epigenetic changes similar to those found in schizophrenia have been reported several rodent models that rely on the genetic and/or environmental constructs of the disorder.
Together, human and animal studies emphasize the interplay between genetic risk and epigenetic dysregulation. This integrated perspective is essential for uncovering biomarkers and informing novel therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Dr. Inna Gaisler-Salomon
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- schizophrenia
- epigenetics
- animal models
- methylation
- microRNA
- gene-environment interactions
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