Psychiatric genetics

Short description: Research field focused on role of genetics in development of mental disorders

Psychiatric genetics is a subfield of behavioral neurogenetics and behavioral genetics which studies the role of genetics in the development of mental disorders (such as alcoholism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism). The basic principle behind psychiatric genetics is that genetic polymorphisms (as indicated by linkage to e.g. a single nucleotide polymorphism) are part of the causation of psychiatric disorders.[1]

Psychiatric genetics is a somewhat new name for the old question, "Are behavioral and psychological conditions and deviations inherited?".[2] The goal of psychiatric genetics is to better understand the causes of psychiatric disorders, to use that knowledge to improve treatment methods, and possibly also to develop personalized treatments based on genetic profiles (see pharmacogenomics). In other words, the goal is to transform parts of psychiatry into a neuroscience-based discipline.[3]

Recent advances in molecular biology allowed for the identification of hundreds of common and rare genetic variations that contribute to psychiatric disorders.[4]

Psychiatric genetics has established that most psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, are highly heritable and polygenic, meaning they are influenced by thousands of common genetic variants, each having a small effect on risk.[5]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Heritability and genetics
* 3 Methodology
* 4 Predictive genetic testing
* 5 Ethical issues
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 External links

## History

Research on psychiatric genetics began in the late nineteenth century with Francis Galton (a founder of psychiatric genetics) who was motivated by the work of Charles Darwin and his concept of desegregation. These methods of study later improved due to the development of more advanced clinical, epidemiological, and biometrical research tools. Better research tools were the precursor to the ability to perform valid family, twin, and adoption studies. Researchers learned that genes influence how these disorders manifest and that they tend to aggregate in families.[2][6] Major recent progress in psychiatric genetics has been made possible by the advent of the 'genome-wide association study', a case-control design that compares genetic variants in very large groups of individuals with and without a diagnosis, and through large, global collaborative efforts including the wellcome trust case control consortium and psychiatric genomics consortium, among many others.

## Heritability and genetics

Most psychiatric disorders are highly heritable; the estimated heritability for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism (80% or higher) is much higher than that of diseases like breast cancer and Parkinson's disease.[1] Having a close family member affected by a mental illness is the largest known risk factor, to date.[7] However, linkage analysis and genome-wide association studies have found few reproducible risk factors.[1]

Heterogeneity is an important factor to consider when dealing with genetics. Two types of heterogeneity have been identified in association with psychiatric genetics: causal and clinical. Causal heterogeneity refers to a situation in which two or more causes can independently induce the same clinical syndrome. Clinical heterogeneity refers to when a single cause can lead to more than one clinical syndrome.[8]

Several genetic risk factors have been found with the endophenotypes of psychiatric disorders, rather than with the diagnoses themselves. That is, the risk factors are associated with particular symptoms, not with the overall diagnosis.[1] In psychiatry, endophenotypes are a way of objectively measuring certain internal processes in a reliable way that is often lacking the diseases with which they are associated.[9] They lie in the space between genes and disease process and allow for some understanding of the biology of psychiatric diseases.[9]

A systematic comparative analysis of shared and unique genetic factors highlighted key gene sets and molecular processes underlying six major neuropsychiatric disorders: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia.[10] This may ultimately translate into improved diagnosis and treatment of these debilitating disorders.

## Methodology

Linkage, association, and microarray studies generate raw material for findings in psychiatric genetics.[11] Copy number variants have also been associated with psychiatric conditions.[12]

Genetic Linkage studies attempt to find a correlation between the diagnosis and inheritance of certain alleles within families who have two or more ill relatives. An analysis of a linkage study uses a wide chromosomal region, whereas a genetic association study endeavors to identify a specific DNA polymorphism, which can be a deletion, inversion, or repletion of a sequence.[13] Case-control association studies can be used as an exploratory tool for narrowing the area of interest after preliminary mapping of a gene by a linkage study.[14]

Genome-Wide Association Studies uncover genetic links in psychiatric disorders by analyzing the genomes of large groups of individuals, comparing genetic variants between individuals with a disorder and individuals without to identify regions associated with increased risk.[15]

## Predictive genetic testing

One hope for future genetic testing is the ability to test for presymptomatic or prenatal illnesses. This information has the potential to improve the lives of those affected with certain illnesses, specifically those like schizophrenia. If possible to test for schizophrenia before the symptoms develop, proactive interventions could be developed, or even preventative treatments.[8] In one study, 100% of patients with bipolar disorder indicated that they would probably take a genetic test to determine they were carrying a gene associated with the disorder, if such a test existed.[7]

## Ethical issues

Francis Galton studied both desirable and undesirable behavioral and mental properties to better examine the world of genetics. His research led to his proposal of a eugenic program of birth control.[16] His goal was to decrease the frequency of the less desirable traits that occurred throughout the population. His ideas were pursued by psychiatrists in many countries such as the United States, Germany and Scandinavia.[2][17]

Genotyping and its implications are still seen as ethically controversial by many people.[who?] The ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Initiative), which is part of the Human Genome Project, was created with the aim of "foster[ing] basic and applied research on the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic and genomic research for individuals, families and communities.".[18]

## See also

* Behavioural Genetics
* Neurogenetics
* International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society (IBANGS)
* Gene-environment correlation
* Genetic predisposition
* Psychiatric Genetics (journal)
* Genes, Brain and Behavior (journal)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Psychiatric genetics: progress amid controversy". Nat Rev Genet 9 (7): 527–40. 2008. doi:10.1038/nrg2381. PMID 18560438.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Maier, Wolfgang (2003). "Psychiatric Genetics: Overview on Achievements, Problems, Perspectives" (in en). Psychiatric Genetics. Methods in Molecular Medicine. 77. Humana Press. pp. 3–20. doi:10.1385/1-59259-348-8:03. ISBN 9781588290373.
3. ↑ "Update on psychiatric genetics". Genet Med 9 (6): 332–40. 2007. doi:10.1097/GIM.0b013e318065a9fa. PMID 17575499.
4. ↑ Jordan Smoller (2018). "Psychiatric genetics and the structure of psychopathology" (in En). Molecular Psychiatry 24 (3): 409–420. doi:10.1038/s41380-017-0010-4. PMID 29317742.
5. ↑ Andreassen, Ole A.; Hindley, Guy F. L.; Frei, Oleksandr; Smeland, Olav B. (February 2023). "New insights from the last decade of research in psychiatric genetics: discoveries, challenges and clinical implications". World Psychiatry 22 (1): 4–24. doi:10.1002/wps.21034. ISSN 1723-8617. PMID 36640404.
6. ↑ Owen, MJ; Cardno, AG.; O'Donovan, MC. (2000). "Psychiatric genetics: back to the future". Molecular Psychiatry 5 (1): 22–31. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4000702. PMID 10673765.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Blacker D., Racette S. R., Sklar P., Smoller J. W. (2005). "Psychiatric genetics: a survey of psychiatrists' knowledge, opinions, and practice patterns". J Clin Psychiatry 66 (7): 821–830. doi:10.4088/JCP.v66n0703. PMID 16013896.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Tsuang, M., Taylor, L., Faraone, S. (2003). "Psychiatric genetics: future and prospects". In Leboyer, M, Bellivier, F. Psychiatric genetics: methods and reviews. Humana Press. pp. 251–265.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Flint J., Munafo M (2001). "The endophenotype concept in psychiatric genetics". Psychological Medicine 37 (2): 163–180. doi:10.1017/s0033291706008750. PMID 16978446.
10. ↑ Lotan, Amit; Fenckova, Michaela; Bralten, Janita; Alttoa, Aet; Dixson, Luanna; Williams, Robert W.; van der Voet, Monique (2014-01-01). "Neuroinformatic analyses of common and distinct genetic components associated with major neuropsychiatric disorders". Frontiers in Neuroscience 8: 331. doi:10.3389/fnins.2014.00331. PMID 25414627.
11. ↑ "A searchable database of genetic evidence for psychiatric disorders". Am J Med Genet B 147B (6): 671–75. 2008. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30802. PMID 18548508.
12. ↑ Bourgeron, T., Giros, B.,(2003). " Genetic Markers in Psychiatric Genetics". In Leboyer, M, Bellivier, F. Psychiatric genetics: methods and reviews. Humana Press. pp. 63–98.
13. ↑ Levinson D. F. (2005). "Meta-analysis in psychiatric genetics". Current Psychiatry Reports 7 (2): 143–152. doi:10.1007/s11920-005-0012-9. PMID 15802092.
14. ↑ Bellivier, F. (2003). "Genetic association studies: definition of cases and controls". In Leboyer, M, Bellivier, F. Psychiatric genetics: methods and reviews. Humana Press. pp. 127–141.
15. ↑ Bourque, Vincent-Raphael; Poulain, Cécile; Proulx, Catherine; Moreau, Clara A.; Joober, Ridha; Forgeot d’Arc, Baudouin; Huguet, Guillaume; Jacquemont, Sébastien (2024-03-30). "Genetic and phenotypic similarity across major psychiatric disorders: a systematic review and quantitative assessment" (in en). Translational Psychiatry 14 (1): 171. doi:10.1038/s41398-024-02866-3. ISSN 2158-3188. PMC 10981737. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-024-02866-3.
16. ↑ "The Possible Improvement of the Human Breed Under the Existing Conditions of Law and Sentiment". Nature 64 (1670): 659–665. 1901. doi:10.1038/064659b0. https://zenodo.org/record/2087661.
17. ↑ Eugenics and the Welfare State: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. Michigan State University Press. 2005. ISBN 978-0870137587.
18. ↑ "ELSI Research Program Overview". https://www.genome.gov/10001618/the-elsi-research-program/.

## External links

* Behavioral Genetics Association
* IBANGS
* International Society of Psychiatric Genetics

* v
* t
* e

Neuroscience

Outline of neuroscience

Basic
science|

* Behavioral epigenetics
* Behavioral genetics
* Cellular neuroscience
* Computational neuroscience
* Connectomics
* Imaging genetics
* Integrative neuroscience
* Molecular neuroscience
* Neural engineering
* Neuroanatomy
* Neurochemistry
* Neuroendocrinology
* Neurogenetics
* Neuroinformatics
* Neurometrics
* Neuromorphology
* Neurophysics
* Neurophysiology
* Systems neuroscience

Clinical
neuroscience|

* Behavioral neurology
* Clinical neurophysiology
* Neurocardiology
* Neuroepidemiology
* Neurogastroenterology
* Neuroimmunology
* Neurointensive care
* Neurology
* Neurooncology
* Neuro-ophthalmology
* Neuropathology
* Neuropharmacology
* Neuroprosthetics
* Neuropsychiatry
* Neuroradiology
* Neurorehabilitation
* Neurosurgery
* Neurotology
* Neurovirology
* Nutritional neuroscience
* Psychiatry

Cognitive
neuroscience|

* Affective neuroscience
* Behavioral neuroscience
* Chronobiology
* Molecular cellular cognition
* Motor control
* Neurolinguistics
* Neuropsychology
* Sensory neuroscience
* Social cognitive neuroscience

Interdisciplinary
fields|

* Consumer neuroscience
* Cultural neuroscience
* Educational neuroscience
* Evolutionary neuroscience
* Neuroanthropology
* Neurobioengineering
* Neurobiotics
* Neurocriminology
* Neuroeconomics
* Neuroepistemology
* Neuroesthetics
* Neuroethics
* Neuroethology
* Neurohistory
* Neurolaw
* Neuromarketing
* Neuromorphics
* Neurophenomenology
* Neurophilosophy
* Neuropolitics
* Neurorobotics
* Neurotheology
* Paleoneurobiology
* Social neuroscience

Concepts|

* Brain–computer interface
* Neural development
* Neural network (artificial)
* Neural network (biological)
* Detection theory
* Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring
* Neurochip
* Neurodegeneration
* Neurodevelopmental disorder
* Neurodiversity
* Neurogenesis
* Neuroimaging
* Neuroimmune system
* Neuromanagement
* Neuromodulation
* Neuroplasticity
* Neurotechnology
* Neurotoxin

* Book
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Psychiatry

Subspecialties|

* Addiction psychiatry
* Biological psychiatry
* Child and adolescent psychiatry
* Cognitive neuropsychiatry
* Cross-cultural psychiatry
* Developmental disability
* Descriptive psychiatry
* Eating disorder
* Emergency psychiatry
* Forensic psychiatry
* Geriatric psychiatry
* Immuno-psychiatry
* Liaison psychiatry
* Military psychiatry
* Narcology
* Neuropsychiatry
* Palliative medicine
* Pain medicine
* Psychotherapy
* Sleep medicine

Organizations|

* American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
* American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
* American Neuropsychiatric Association
* American Psychiatric Association
* Campaign Against Psychiatric Abuse
* Chinese Society of Psychiatry
* Democratic Psychiatry
* European Psychiatric Association
* Global Initiative on Psychiatry
* Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists
* Independent Psychiatric Association of Russia
* Indian Psychiatric Society
* National Institute of Mental Health
* Philadelphia Association
* Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
* Royal College of Psychiatrists
* Working Commission to Investigate the Use of Psychiatry for Political Purposes
* World Psychiatric Association
* Taiwanese Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Related topics|

* Anti-psychiatry
* Behavioral medicine
* Clinical neuroscience
* Imaging genetics
* Neuroimaging
* Neurophysiology
* Philosophy of psychiatry
* Political abuse of psychiatry
* Psychiatrist
* Psychiatric epidemiology
* Psychiatric genetics
* Psychiatric survivors movement
* Psychosomatic medicine
* Psycho-oncology
* Psychopharmacology
* Psychosurgery
* Psychoanalysis

Lists|

* Outline of the psychiatric survivors movement
* Psychiatrists
* Neurological conditions and disorders
* Counseling topics
* Psychotherapies
* Psychiatric medications
* by condition treated

* Portal
* Outline

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychiatric genetics. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Biology:Psychiatric_genetics&oldid=4305162"
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template