Question

Bob and Will are monozygotic (identical) twins. They are 18 years old and in their first year at the liberal arts college that their parents attended. They have always been excellent students. Bob plans to study law and wants to work with international corporations. Will is more interested in studying business and directing those corporations. Both Bob and Will have been experimenting with drugs at college. In the last month or so, Bob’s work has fallen off. He has not been completing assignments at his usual high level of quality. His thoughts seem to have become disorganized, and he mentions to Will that he has been hearing voices telling him that he should abandon school because the administration is working for an unfriendly foreign government. After much difficulty, Bob is diagnosed with schizophrenia Bob and Will are monozygotic (identical) twins. They are 18 years old and in their first year at the liberal arts college that their parents attended. They have always been excellent students. Bob plans to study law and wants to work with international corporations. Will is more interested in studying business and directing those corporations. Both Bob and Will have been experimenting with drugs at college. In the last month or so, Bob’s work has fallen off. He has not been completing assignments at his usual high level of quality. His thoughts seem to have become disorganized, and he mentions to Will that he has been hearing voices telling him that he should abandon school because the administration is working for an unfriendly foreign government. After much difficulty,

Bob is diagnosed with schizophrenia.

1. What is Will’s risk for schizophrenia?
2. Would Will benefit from talking with a genetic counselor?
3. Should Will have genetic testing to see if he will get schizophrenia?

Answer 1

The risk of getting schizophrenia is about 40% in monozygotic identical twin as per the research

Genetic counselling could hep him to gain knowledge about the disease condition and take necessary precautions and it can provide an emotional support or psychological support in managing self

A genetic screening of RTN4 gene can be checked for the risk of getting this disease

Mutation in the gene can be tested for and the risk factor can be identified earlier to prevent the symptoms and lead a quality life.