Archive · 12 Jun 2025
Study: Psychiatric Disorders May Stem from Common Genetic Roots
Scientists have discovered that several mental health problems might be linked to the same genes.
Think of it like your body's instruction manual, but with some pages that have changed in some people.
These changes, called genetic variants, can affect how the brain grows.
Researchers found that the same variants show up in different mental health conditions.
They hope to use this information to develop treatments that target the shared genetic factors, which could potentially treat multiple disorders with one therapy.
A study indicates eight psychiatric disorders may share a common genetic basis.
Researchers identified specific genetic variants active during brain development.
These variants were found across multiple mental health conditions.
The study categorized genetic variants into two functional consequence groups.
Findings suggest pleiotropic variants may be optimal treatment targets.
- Who
- Researchers led by Hyejung Won and Patrick Sullivan conducted the study.
- What
- A study revealed that eight psychiatric disorders may share a common genetic basis.
- When
- The study was recently conducted.
- Where
- The research was conducted in the US.
- Why
- To understand the genetic basis of multiple psychiatric disorders and identify potential treatment targets.
- Lead Researchers
- Hyejung Won, Patrick Sullivan
- Focus
- Shared genetic factors in psychiatric disorders
- Main Finding
- Eight psychiatric disorders share common genetic foundations.
- Published in
- Cell
- Key Concept
- Pleiotropic variants