Genomic Psychiatry Cohort
- Leading Researcher:
- Michele Pato, MD
- Diagnoses:
- Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia
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Accepting Cases is accepted
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Accepting Controls is accepted
Official Title:
Genomic Psychiatry Cohort
The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC) is a groundbreaking research initiative aimed at identifying genetic factors that contribute to serious mental disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and psychosis. This large-scale cohort study is designed to gather and analyze genetic data from individuals with and without these conditions. With a focus on underrepresented populations, particularly African and Latino ancestries, the GPC seeks to bridge critical gaps in psychiatric genetics research.
Serious mental disorders often have a strong genetic predisposition, with the risk of recurrence being proportional to the degree of relatedness. For example, individuals with two parents diagnosed with schizophrenia have a 50-70% chance of developing the disorder, while those with only an affected sibling face a roughly 10% increased risk. This underscores the importance of understanding the complex genetic and environmental interactions that contribute to these conditions.
The GPC contributes to this effort by conducting comprehensive genetic analyses, including whole genome and exome sequencing, on tens of thousands of individuals. By collaborating with global initiatives like the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), the GPC supports the development of more effective treatments.
Through this research, the GPC aims to advance precision medicine approaches for psychiatric disorders by identifying genetic variants that may predict susceptibility to these illnesses. The study is currently one of the largest federally funded efforts to explore the genetic underpinnings of neuropsychiatric conditions, with a special focus on reducing health disparities in historically underserved populations.