Study: Schizophrenia patients are genetically predisposed to smoking

According to a report by Medicalxpress, a research team led by Dr. Linn Rodevand from the Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research at the University of Oslo examined the relationship between schizophrenia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Scientists identified a comprehensive genetic overlap between schizophrenia and CVD risk factors, particularly the initiation of smoking and body mass index.

The researchers pointed out that the genetic overlap between schizophrenia and smoking means that schizophrenia patients may be more susceptible to the addictive properties of nicotine.

Suggesting that schizophrenia patients experience more intense reinforcing effects of nicotine and exhibit more severe "withdrawal symptoms" in the absence of nicotine, the scientists stated that for these individuals, "smoking may represent a form of self-medication."

The study noted that schizophrenia patients are genetically predisposed to a lower body mass index.

Furthermore, the study recorded that several common loci were found between schizophrenia and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, lipids, and coronary artery disease.

The research was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Schizophrenia is known as a mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally and cannot distinguish between what is real and what is not.

News Source: 12punto