Retina shows genetic risk for schizophrenia

(CONNECT) An international research team led by the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich has shown in a study that altered nerve connections in the retina are linked to the genetic risk of schizophrenia. This confirmed the hypothesis that changes in the brain are recognisable in the retina, which is part of the central nervous system.

"In order to investigate whether the risk of developing schizophrenia affects the central nervous system, we examined tens of thousands of healthy people," explains Finn Rabe, first author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at UZH, in a report from his university. "We then calculated their risk of schizophrenia using a genetic score." The team was able to draw on extensive and publicly accessible retinal data and genetic information from the UK Biobank .

According to UZH, the good thing about the finding is that, unlike changes in the brain, such changes can be detected with simple, non-invasive and inexpensive eye measurements using optical coherence tomography and within a few minutes. "However, large long-term studies are still needed to clarify the benefits in prevention," says Rabe.

The study also supports the idea that inflammatory processes contribute to the development or progression of the disease. If this hypothesis is correct, inflammation could be interrupted by medication. This would make the disease easier to treat. ce/mm