Psychiatric & Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit: (original) (raw)

PNGU Mission Identify the role of genetic factors in the etiology of psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral disorders. Examine the contributions of non-genetic or environmental factors, as well as risk and protective factors. Develop approaches to gain a more complete understanding of the expression of these disorders.
Directors The Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit (PNGU) directors include: David Pauls, PhD, Director Pamela Sklar MD, PhD, Associate Director
Significance of Genetics Research In addition to gaining information about how psychiatric disorders are expressed, we are interested in identifying familial patterns of inheritance as well as susceptibility genes. We invite family participation and ask for DNA samples, which are typically obtained through a blood sample. Knowledge gained from this kind of work will help investigators in the identification of genes related to these disorders. Once located, we may begin to understand how the specific genes operate, why a particular disorder occurs, and how the disorder is transmitted in families. Such knowledge is vital to the development of treatment and prevention strategies.

PNGU Mission Identify the role of genetic factors in the etiology of psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral disorders. Examine the contributions of non-genetic or environmental factors, as well as risk and protective factors. Develop approaches to gain a more complete understanding of the expression of these disorders.

Directors The Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit (PNGU) directors include: David Pauls, PhD, Director Pamela Sklar MD, PhD, Associate Director

Significance of Genetics Research In addition to gaining information about how psychiatric disorders are expressed, we are interested in identifying familial patterns of inheritance as well as susceptibility genes. We invite family participation and ask for DNA samples, which are typically obtained through a blood sample. Knowledge gained from this kind of work will help investigators in the identification of genes related to these disorders. Once located, we may begin to understand how the specific genes operate, why a particular disorder occurs, and how the disorder is transmitted in families. Such knowledge is vital to the development of treatment and prevention strategies.

Welcome

The Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit (PNGU) was inaugurated in 2001 for the express purpose of enhancing the application of genomics to the study of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental diseases.

This research unit is located in the Richard B Simches Research Center of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and is affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Research studies are conducted in collaboration with clinicians at Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, the Broad Institute and many centers worldwide.

The PNGU is directed by Dr. David Pauls, a geneticist whose research over the last 25 years has focused on psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), autism and related disorders, specific reading disability (dyslexia) and bipolar affective disorder. Dr. Pamela Sklar, the Associate Director of the unit, maintains an affiliation and is a Senior Associate Member of the Broad Institute and Director of Genetic for the Stanley Center for Psychiatric research there. Her work focuses primarily on the genetics of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Projects are supported by funds from the National Institutes of Health, Autism Speaks, Boston Autism Consortium, the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research of the Broad Institute, and the National Association for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorder (NARSAD).