Retinal Thinning and Its Connection to Genetic Risk Factors for Schizophrenia

Researchers from the University of Zurich and the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich have uncovered a potential link between retinal thinning and genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. The retina, being a part of the central nervous system and an extension of the brain, provides valuable insights into neurological health. The study, published in Nature Mental Health, investigated whether structural changes in the retina are associated with the genetic risk of developing schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is characterized by impaired neural information processing and often involves brain tissue loss, including reductions in gray matter volume. Previous research suggested that such changes might also extend to retinal tissue, but it remained unclear whether these alterations are causes or consequences of the disorder, with factors like medication, lifestyle, or comorbidities also potentially influencing retinal health.

This extensive study analyzed genetic and retinal data from over half a million healthy individuals in the UK Biobank. The team calculated polygenic risk scores for each participant to assess genetic susceptibility to schizophrenia. Their findings revealed that a higher genetic risk correlates with thinner retinas, although the effects are subtle and detectable only in large-scale studies. Importantly, retinal measurements are noninvasive and cost-effective, made possible by optical coherence tomography (OCT), a technique analogous to ultrasound that captures detailed images of retinal layers within minutes.

The implications of these findings are significant for early detection and prevention. The study advocates for further longitudinal research to determine the clinical utility of retinal screening in predicting schizophrenia risk. Moreover, a part of the genetic variants associated with inflammatory processes in the brain also appear to influence retinal structures, lending support to the inflammation hypothesis in schizophrenia. This suggests that future therapies might target neuroinflammation, potentially opening new avenues for treatment.

Overall, this research highlights the potential of retinal imaging as a tool for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders and underscores the importance of genetic and inflammatory pathways in their development. The integration of such biomarkers could eventually enhance early intervention strategies and personalized medicine in psychiatry.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-retinal-thinning-linked-genetic-factors.html