Genetic support for the link between estrogen levels and onset age in female schizophrenia patients: An initial empirical investigation employing polygenic risk scores
Research-in-progress Seminar
Presented by:
Ms ZHAN Na, Emma (PhD candidate)
Chaired by:
Dr Lee Chi Kei, Krystal (Clinical Assistant Professor)
Date:
25 January 2024
Time:
7:00 am
-
8:00 am
Venue:
J2 Seminar Room
Abstract:
Estrogen may exert a protective influence on the susceptibility to schizophrenia, as indicated by the bimodal age at onset (AAO) distribution observed in female patients, with a second peak occurring during the post-menopausal phase, in contrast to the unimodal distribution observed in male patients. This suggests that an individual's cumulative exposure to endogenous estrogen, as reflected by the age of menarche and menopause, could potentially play a role in this phenomenon. Furthermore, evidence suggests that early-onset schizophrenia in females is associated with a later age of menarche, while delayed puberty in males is linked to more severe prodromal symptoms. However, the genetic evidence pertaining to the relationship between estrogen, puberty, and AAO in schizophrenia remains limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between age of menarche, age of menopause, and schizophrenia AAO using polygenic risk scores.