What did the new study find about psychiatric disorders?

The study found that psychiatric disorders can share common genetic influences, meaning certain DNA parts can be at the root of more than one mental condition.

How many individuals were included in the genetic research for psychiatric disorders?

The research examined DNA data for more than 1 million individuals with 14 childhood and adult-onset psychiatric disorders.

What is a potential benefit of uncovering shared genetic roots for mental health conditions?

Uncovering shared genetic roots could lead to the development of treatments that target multiple disorders simultaneously, rather than treating each one in isolation.

Home / Health / Genes Link Multiple Mental Health Disorders

Genes Link Multiple Mental Health Disorders

27 Jan

•

Summary

New research identifies shared genetic roots for psychiatric disorders.
Study examined DNA from over 1 million individuals with mental health conditions.
Findings could pave way for treatments targeting multiple disorders.

Genes Link Multiple Mental Health Disorders

A significant new study has uncovered evidence that psychiatric disorders share common genetic underpinnings. Researchers examining DNA data from over 1 million individuals with 14 different childhood and adult-onset psychiatric disorders found that certain DNA variations can influence multiple mental health conditions. This could explain the frequent co-occurrence of disorders like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and ADHD.

The research sorted disorders into five categories: compulsive, schizophrenia/bipolar, neurodevelopmental, internalizing, and substance-use. Each category showed links to specific genetic differences that affect brain function. For instance, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder showed strong connections to brain cells involved in 'go' signals, while internalizing disorders like depression and anxiety were linked to cells that speed up brain signal transmission.