A better understanding of genetics role in mental illness will lead to better treatments, according to scientists who participated Thursday in the Massachusetts General Hospital Leadership Council for Psychiatrys ninth annual mental health symposium. Scientists first identified genetic risk factors related to mental disorders about six years ago, said Dr. Jordan Smoller, director of the psychiatric and neurodevelopmental genetics unit in the hospitals Center for Human Genetics Research. Since then, nearly 200 genetic risk factors have been confirmed, Smoller said. Genetic markers overlap in five disorders bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, Smoller said. Were seeing some of these connections and the hope is (that) were going to be able to move towards a diagnostic system that is not simply based upon symptoms but on an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of mental illness, he said. Another speaker, Dr. Sabine Wilhelm, chief of psychology, discussed body dysmorphic disorder. About 2 percent of Americans have the condition, Wilhelm said. People with the disorder are preoccupied with a perceived flaw or flaws in their appearance. This intense focus on appearance is linked with an increased risk of depression and/or anxiety. People with the condition are 45 times more likely … Continue reading →

Baylor College of Medicine experts will give an update on the latest research and best practices in medical care for Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of connective tissue that affects the skeletal system, cardiovascular system, eyes, and skin, in a public forum Feb. 17at the Childrens Museum of Houston. The forum will feature Dr. John Belmont, professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor and a pediatric geneticist at Texas Childrens Hospital; Dr. Shaine Morris, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor and a pediatric cardiologist at Texas Childrens Hospital; Andi Lewis, a genetic counselor at Baylor and Texas Childrens Hospital; Judy Gibaldi, acting president and CEO of The Marfan Foundation and Rod Gray, a parent advocate. The experts will discuss results of a recent large study, as well as best practices in medical care and resources regarding Marfan Syndrome. Sponsored by Baylor and Texas Childrens, the event is part of the monthly Evening with Genetics lecture series organized by Baylors Department of Molecular and Human Genetics. The series offers current information regarding care, education and research about genetic disorders. The program is free and open to the public. It will be held at 7 p.m. at the Childrens Museum of … Continue reading →