Topic: Genetic Basis and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

The etiology of psychiatric disease remains elusive. Although many psychiatric symptoms and diseases appear to cluster within families, the genetic basis of psychiatric disease remains complex and elusive. There is little support for classical Mendelian inheritance of psychiatric disorders. Many non-Mendelian inheritance models may account for the genetic influence on psychiatric disorders; these include, but are not limited to: (1) complex interactions between genetic predisposition and environmental factors including social-economic, nutritional, infectious and other factors; (2) polygenetic and oligogenetic inheritance; (3) methylation and imprinting; and (4) mitochondrial inheritance. Still the manners in which psychiatric disorders are defined and sub-classified have also influenced the results of the outcomes of genetic studies. Advances in understanding neurobiology have started to provide insight as to the underlying biological nature of behaviorally-defined conditions. Understanding perturbations in genes involved in specific pathways and mechanisms such as channelopathies, neurotransmitters, cell signaling, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, circadian rhythm, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic structure have provided insights into the underlying biology. Using innovative techniques to understand genetic mechanisms has provided advances in the field. Through a better understanding of the genetic basis of psychiatric disease, we can look forward to the management and prevention of psychiatric disease through a precise, personalized medicine approach. This Special Issue will highlight innovative studies examining the underlying genetic basis of psychiatric disease, especially with respect to genetic alternation and variations which may impact optimal treatments.

Psychiatric disorders, genetic basis, personalized medicine

20 Sep 2023