How genes shape risk for serious mental illness from childhood through adulthood
Genetic Risk for Serious Mental Illness and Development
This project looks at how a person's genetic risk influences early signs and the development of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression across different ages.
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-11375544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be followed over time so researchers can see how genetic risk patterns relate to emerging symptoms and developmental changes. The team will combine genetic information (like polygenic risk scores) with clinical, behavioral, and brain-related measures to map who develops which kinds of problems. Researchers will use a clinical-staging approach that groups people by early risk features rather than only by traditional diagnoses. The goal is to find early markers that best predict specific future outcomes so that monitoring or early support can be better targeted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include children, adolescents, or adults with a family history of serious mental illness, early psychiatric symptoms, or those already enrolled in developmental or longitudinal cohorts.
Not a fit: People without genetic data or longitudinal follow-up, or those with only mild, stable symptoms unlikely to progress to serious illness, may not see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to earlier and more targeted identification of people at higher risk so they can get preventive support before severe illness develops.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using polygenic risk scores and longitudinal cohorts has shown promising links between genetic risk and later psychiatric outcomes, but predictive accuracy and disorder-specific specificity remain limited and need improvement.
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.