Abstract
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Family-, twin-, and adoption-studies indicate that genetic factors play a role in development of schizophrenic disorders. A variable number of possibly interacting genes predisposing to the disease is likely. The genetic dissection has been hampered by genetic complexity as well as by difficulties in defining the phenotype. Mapping efforts using large pedigree samples revealed preliminary evidence for susceptibility loci. However, final proof has to come from isolation and identification of the genes.