A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry found that genetic testing can identify a clinically significant genetic finding for some people with schizophrenia.
The study was co-led by Dr. Aaron Besterman, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and the Medical Director of Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Laura Rodriguez Research Institute. The research team analyzed results from 31 studies, representing more than 20,000 participants, making it one of the largest meta-analyses to date of genomic testing in schizophrenia.
The analysis found that modern genetic testing, such as chromosomal microarray and exome or genome sequencing, identified a clinically significant genetic explanation for schizophrenia in about 6% of patients. Early age of onset and the presence of a co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorder seem to elevate the likelihood of finding a genetic explanation. When a genetic cause is identified, it may help guide treatment and empower families to make more informed health care decisions.
At the same time, the authors also identified gaps in the existing evidence that are relevant to community mental health settings. Most published studies came from a limited number of regions, with no studies from Latin America, South Asia, or Africa, limiting how well findings may apply across diverse populations. The authors note that genetic testing has been adopted more slowly in schizophrenia than in some other conditions, a delay that may limit opportunities for patients to benefit from these advances and could worsen existing health disparities. “For a condition as complex as schizophrenia, genetics will never provide all the answers—but this study shows that for a meaningful subset of patients, modern genetic testing can offer clinically useful information. The challenge now is ensuring these tools are used thoughtfully and equitably in real-world mental health settings and that mental health clinicians understand who to meaningfully leverage genetics to support their patients.”
The full article can be read in Biological Psychiatry:
https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/article/S0006-3223(25)01485-4/fulltext
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Family Health Centers of San Diego provides caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to the uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved. It is one of the nation’s largest Federally Qualified Health Centers, operating more than 90 sites across San Diego County. For more information, please visit www.fhcsd.org.
