Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness ranked among the top 15 leading causes of disability worldwide and is associated with a 20-year reduction in life expectancy. Antipsychotic drugs are the primary treatment for schizophrenia and are also prescribed for a growing number of other mental illnesses. Unfortunately, around 30% of schizophrenia patients do not benefit from antipsychotics, defined as treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Resistance is believed to stem from a multitude of factors, including genetic predisposition, the severity of the condition, and environmental risk factors. This research project aims to understand why some people with schizophrenia don’t respond well to standard treatments. We will use UK Biobank to explore the signatures of TRS in a project that is expected to last 3 or more years. This project will find out if there are specific genetic factors or life experiences that make some individuals more likely to have this difficult-to-treat form of schizophrenia. By understanding TRS better, we will be able to develop new treatments, improving the lives of people with this condition and their families.
