Schizophrenia genetics: the search for a hard lead

Purpose of review To describe the rationale for searching for genes for schizophrenia, prior efforts via candidate gene association and genomewide linkage studies, and to set the stage for the numerous genomewide association studies that will emerge by the end of 2008. Recent findings Genomewide association studies have identified dozens of new and previously unsuspected candidate genes for many biomedical disorders. At least seven new studies of approximately 20 000 cases plus controls are expected to be completed by the end of 2008. Summary Current results have few implications for clinical practice or research, and it is possible that this recommendation could be dramatically different in a year.