NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding genetic changes linked to psychiatric disorders

Official title: A novel method to resolve the complex genome rearrangements of the large copy number variants (CNVs) associated with psychiatric disorders

Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11013840 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at specific genetic changes linked to conditions like autism and schizophrenia to better understand how they affect people, with the hope of finding new ways to diagnose and treat these disorders.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project startFebruary 15, 2022
Project endJanuary 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$179,388
NIH project number5K01MH129758-04
Project IDNIH-11013840 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia, particularly those with known genetic variations.

Less likely to help

Patients without a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders or those without identified genetic variations may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on identifying and analyzing complex genetic changes, specifically large copy number variants (CNVs), that are associated with psychiatric disorders like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. By utilizing advanced genomic methods, the project aims to uncover the biological mechanisms behind these genetic variations and their diverse clinical outcomes. Patients with these disorders may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The study addresses the limitations of current genome sequencing techniques that struggle to analyze repetitive and complex regions of the genome.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients with psychiatric disorders linked to genetic variations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding genetic factors in psychiatric disorders, but this approach aims to tackle previously inaccessible genomic regions, making it a novel endeavor.

Where this research is happening

  • Stanford University
    Stanford, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Zhou, Bo — Stanford University
  • Study coordinator: Zhou, Bo

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.