Recent findings and future directions for the intersection of genetic and environmental contributions to schizophrenia.

Abstract

It is well established that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to risk for schizophrenia (SCZ), and much progress has been made in identifying the specific factors conferring risk. However, the nature and extent of interactions between them has long been a topic of debate. Both the data and methods available to address this have evolved rapidly, enabling new prospects for identifying gene-environment interactions in SCZ. To date, there is limited evidence of strong gene-environment interactions, with environmental factors, molecular genetic risk, and family history simultaneously contributing to risk of SCZ. Still, there are several enduring challenges, some of which can likely be addressed with new tools, methods, and approaches for investigating gene-environment interplay. Consequently, advancements in this field will enhance our capacity to identify individuals most vulnerable to specific environmental exposures, which is pivotal for targeted prevention and intervention.