Exploring genetic factors in psychiatric disorders using big data
Official title: A big data approach to explore epigenetic heterogeneity and interpret noncoding variants for psychiatric disorders
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-10640918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes that don’t make proteins might affect mental health conditions, using advanced technology to better understand the brain, and it’s aimed at finding new ways to help people with psychiatric disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $113,036 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH123896-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10640918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders or those with a family history of such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with purely environmental causes of mental health issues, without any genetic predisposition, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex genetic factors that contribute to psychiatric disorders by analyzing noncoding genomic elements that do not directly produce proteins. It employs advanced sequencing technologies and machine learning methods to integrate large-scale genomic data, focusing on the human prefrontal cortex. The goal is to identify key genetic variants and regulatory mechanisms that may lead to new therapeutic targets for mental health conditions. By dissecting the regulatory landscape and constructing gene networks, the research aims to provide deeper insights into the molecular underpinnings of these disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic targets and improved treatments for psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using big data and genomic analysis to uncover genetic factors in psychiatric disorders, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jing — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jing
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.