Genetics of psychiatric disorders: learning why bipolar conditions happen and how to use this for care
Official title: Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: Mechanisms and Translation
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11566442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A broad team is studying the genes linked to bipolar disorder to better understand how these conditions arise and to translate discoveries into real-world care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $190,974 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH142618-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11566442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals affected by bipolar disorder or related psychiatric conditions who may benefit from advances in understanding genetic risk and potential future therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without bipolar disorder may not directly benefit from the findings, though broader psychiatric insights could still emerge.
What this research studies
This project brings together researchers from many institutions to combine genetic and functional genomic data in order to map the genetic architecture of serious psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder. By identifying shared and distinct genetic influences, the team aims to clarify why these conditions occur and how they relate to other health issues. They will fine-map genetic loci and incorporate biological context to uncover mechanisms that could inform future treatments and clinical practice. The work builds on a large network of investigators and data, with an emphasis on translating findings into clinical relevance and patient outreach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to clearer biological targets and more personalized approaches to prevention and treatment for people with bipolar disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous large-scale genetic consortia have significantly advanced knowledge of psychiatric genetics and shown that integrating diverse datasets can reveal meaningful biological insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sullivan, Patrick F — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Sullivan, Patrick F
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.