Our group is involved in several other related studies focusing on the genetic
and environmental underpinnings of psychiatric illnesses.
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We are currently recruiting families with individuals suffering from bipolar
disorder.
This study is very similar to our main study of schizophrenia, in that our
focus is on discovering genes that might predispose individuals towards bipolar
disorder,
as well as environmental factors which might precipitate this illness. We
often don't separate the two studies in our recruitment, save that we do
not currently receive much funding for this facet and so cannot invest as many
resources. We are currently seeking more funding so that this work can go into
full swing.
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We collaborate with members of the Hutterite community in Canada and
northwestern U.S. in an ongoing research effort with the same basic goals as
our other studies.
The Hutterite community is particularly interesting because there appears to be
a substantially lower incidence of certain psychiatric illness among them,
including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Dr. Joseph Eaton collaborates
with us in this research as well.
Dr. Eaton is a Professor Emeritus of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh,
and has worked extensively with the Hutterites
We are also seeking more funding from NIH to advance this work
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We collaborate with a group of researchers in New Delhi, India. This group is
part of the same study as our U.S. schizophrenia study.
The two studies are intended to compliment each other by recruiting families
from very different populations, and using this combined sample
to analyze potential genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of
schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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We also have collaborations with groups in Canada, China and other groups here
in the U.S. which constitute an important part of our effort.
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