Initial Studies

Community Service Programs

Programs will be targeted toward children who have behavioral difficulties as well as children identified prior to their entrance to kindergarten. Along with potential psychiatric intervention for the children involved, their parents will be offered educational programs and evaluations, with the overall goal of changing the child’s home environment.

Psychiatric Genetics Epidemiology Research

Psychiatric disorders exhibit complex inheritance due to the nature of many genes and environmental factors. An initial project will be to create a database through our partnership with the school district to obtain samples from children, parents and their siblings with the intent of conducting various genotype studies. Also, through our partnership with Dr. Hudziak, we will be involved in analyzing 1,000 DNA samples from family members of ADHD patients. The focus of this study is relative to the candidate gene studies for aggression among siblings.

Translational Research

Studies will be designed to offer outcomes that can be applied for clinical benefits. IHBG has developed a protocol for a study that will look at acceptance of psychiatric intervention for women whose genotyping has indicated a predisposition for depression and a percentage who are considered depressed but have not sought treatment. The hypothesis is that women who are depressed and show a predisposition will now accept treatment because of their genetic results. Thus the goal of removing the stigma associated with a psychiatric illness. Data will offer strong evidence toward the application of genotype studies in psychiatry.