Genomic study of more than 1 million links 14 psychiatric disorders into five genetic clusters
A Nature paper that pooled genomic data from over 1 million people with psychiatric conditions and millions of controls finds five shared genetic categories, 238 associated genomic regions, and common biology across many disorders.
- Researchers pooled genomic data from more than 1 million people with psychiatric conditions and from millions of healthy controls.
- Fourteen major psychiatric disorders grouped into five genetic clusters with distinct risk profiles.
- Clusters include a schizophrenia and bipolar group; an internalizing group with depression, anxiety and PTSD; a neurodevelopmental group with ADHD and autism; a compulsive group with OCD and anorexia; and a substance-use group with alcohol and nicotine dependence.
- The team identified 238 genomic regions linked to at least one shared cluster.
- One region on chromosome 11 related to dopamine signalling raised genetic risk for eight separate disorders.
- Authors say shared genetic profiles increase risk across conditions in the same cluster, while other genetic and environmental factors also influence outcomes.