How genes influence the development of serious mental illnesses
Genetic Risk for Serious Mental Illness and Development
Researchers are using genetic risk profiles and developmental signs in children and adolescents to learn who may go on to develop illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090493 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or your child join, researchers will combine genetic information with clinical signs and behavior measures tracked over time to see how risk unfolds across childhood and adolescence. They will use genetic risk scores that summarize many inherited variants alongside clinical staging methods to map early differences that may predict later illness. The project follows people across development and compares those with higher genetic risk to others to find markers that appear before full illness shows up. Results aim to point to earlier, more biologically informed ways to identify people who might benefit from preventive support.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children, adolescents, and young adults with early mood, attention, or psychotic symptoms or a family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, along with healthy comparison participants.
Not a fit: People with long-established, chronic adult illness or those unable to provide genetic samples or participate in follow-up visits are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help identify children and teens at higher genetic risk earlier so doctors can target monitoring or preventive support before severe illness develops.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using polygenic risk scores and early clinical markers has shown group-level promise but remains limited in predicting outcomes for individual patients.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forsyth, Jennifer Katherine — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Forsyth, Jennifer Katherine
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 below.