Exploring the Genetics of Schizophrenia in Manitoba

Sponsor
University of Manitoba
Study ID
NCT07656870
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Study Details

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects about 1 in 100 Canadians, shortens life expectancy, and places a large burden on individuals, families, and the healthcare system. Genetics are known to play a major role, but current research explains only part of the inherited risk because most studies have looked at only a small portion of the genome and have mainly focused on people outside Canada. This project will create the first large-scale Manitoba-based schizophrenia whole-genome sequencing database by studying 1,500 Manitobans with and without schizophrenia using both short-read and advanced long-read genome sequencing technologies. Researchers will combine genetic data with lifelong provincial health records to better understand rare genetic variants linked to schizophrenia and how genetic differences influence medication response, side effects, hospitalizations, and treatment outcomes. The study aims to fill important gaps in schizophrenia research in Canada, improve understanding of the disorder's biology, and support the development of more personalized and effective treatments for people living with schizophrenia.

Key Dates

First listed
Jun 18, 2026
Start date
Aug 31, 2026
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2031
Completion
Apr 30, 2031

Study Design

Enrollment
1,500 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Schizophrenia (cases)
    The schizophrenia case group will consist of Manitoba residents aged 18 years and older who have a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia based on standard DSM-5 criteria and who are already enrolled in the Manitoba Psychosis Registry (MPR). Participants will be recruited through psychosis-focused clinical programs in Manitoba, including the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Service (EPPIS), Schizophrenia Treatment and Education Program (STEP), Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT), and Assertive Community Treatment/Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (ACT/FACT) teams. Cases will provide saliva samples for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing, and genetic data will be linked with clinical information, questionnaire data, and provincial health administrative data to investigate the genetic basis of schizophrenia and related health outcomes.
  • Arm: Control (screened)
    The screened control group will consist of Manitoba residents aged 40 years and older who have no known history of psychiatric disorders. Potential controls will be identified through the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository and recruited by invitation. Individuals will be excluded if they have had contact with a psychiatric specialist or have a history of antidepressant, lithium, mood stabilizer, or antipsychotic medication use. Participants will provide saliva samples for DNA extraction and whole genome sequencing, and their genetic data will be linked with provincial health administrative data. This group will serve as a comparison population for investigating genetic differences associated with schizophrenia.
  • Arm: Control (unscreened)
    An unscreened control group of approximately 2,500 individuals from Manitoba and Saskatchewan will be included through the PrairieGen project. These participants were sequenced using the same whole genome sequencing technologies as the study participants and represent the general Prairie population. While no psychiatric screening or health administrative data linkage will be available for this group, they will provide a population-based genetic reference to improve statistical power and enhance the generalizability of genetic findings.

Primary Outcome Measure

Genetic variation associated with schizophrenia [ Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year ]

Central Contacts

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