Although no specific gene alteration has yet been demonstrated as a cause for schizophrenia (SZ), it is known to have a strong genetic component. A recent study has found a strong association between SZ and a locus at chromosome 10q22-23 in Ashkenazi Jewish and Taiwanese Han populations. Which of the following is probable?
A)Other populations will have the same association with 10q22-23.
B)The neuregulin-3 gene at this locus is mutated in all or most SZ cases.
C)SZ exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity in different populations.
D)The region on 10q must include several genes associated with SZ.
E)People with SZ being characterized differently in various medical communities results in this association between the Jewish and Han populations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the association between SZ and the 10q22-23 locus has only been found in Ashkenazi Jewish and Taiwanese Han populations suggests that SZ exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity in different populations. This means that different populations may have different genetic factors contributing to the development of SZ.

Although No Specific Gene Alteration Has Yet Been Demonstrated as a Cause