How the 3q29 genetic deletion affects thinking, behavior, and mental health

The schizophrenia-associated 3q29 deletion: genetic architecture of behavioral phenotypes

NIH-funded research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11242045

The project looks at how a rare genetic deletion called 3q29 changes thinking, behavior, and risk for conditions like schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, and anxiety in people who have it.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11242045 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will use a remote testing battery you can complete from home to measure thinking, social skills, mood, and motor tasks. They plan to include about 200 people with the 3q29 deletion and will also collect information from biological parents to understand family background. The team will compare each person's overall genetic background and sex with their symptoms to see what changes risk for psychosis, cognitive challenges, and social or attention problems. The remote approach is designed to remove travel barriers and make participation easier for families.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with a confirmed 3q29 deletion, and willing biological parents for family comparison, are the ideal candidates for this project.

Not a fit: People without the 3q29 deletion, or anyone looking for an immediate treatment or cure, are unlikely to receive direct medical benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This work could help identify who with the 3q29 deletion is most likely to develop schizophrenia or other neurodevelopmental problems so they can get earlier monitoring and support.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research has already linked 3q29 deletion to much higher schizophrenia risk and developmental issues, but enrolling 200 people with remote phenotyping is a newer, larger-scale approach.

Where this research is happening

Newark, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety DisordersAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderAutistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.