Polygenic risk score improves psychosis risk prediction

Polygenic risk score improves psychosis risk prediction
Diana O. Perkins, MD, MPH, is lead author of the study. Credit: UNC School of Medicine

A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has found that that using a polygenic risk score (PRS) based on data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) improves psychosis risk prediction in persons meeting clinical high-risk criteria.

“Previous studies reported the PRS discriminates persons with established schizophrenia from unaffected persons. Our study is the first to indicate the PRS predicts future psychosis suggesting a PRS may facilitate the development and eventual targeting of preemptive interventions,” said Diana O. Perkins, MD, MPH, a professor of psychiatry in…

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