Open Data
By Thomas Insel on
Dr. Insel talks about the value of data sharing and collaboration to promote innovation and scientific discovery.
Posts about Genetics
Autism Progress
By Thomas Insel on
Dr. Insel highlights key recent findings in research on autism spectrum disorders.
Summer Science
By Thomas Insel on
Numerous provocative advances in neuroscience were reported during the summer of 2012.
The New Genetics of Autism – Why Environment Matters
By Thomas Insel on
Dr. Insel discusses how new research may help tie together seemingly disparate findings in genetic vs environmental risk factors in autism spectrum disorders.
NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances of 2011
By Thomas Insel on
Dr. Insel shares NIMH’s Top 10 Research Advances for 2011.
Neuroscience Advances Showcased in Washington
By Thomas Insel on
Dr. Insel reflects on an exciting neuroscience conference where an increasing interest in neuropsychiatric disorders was evident.
A New Picture of Brain Development
By Thomas Insel on
Two papers published this week in Nature provide the first maps of the molecular development of the human brain. Mapping brain development by changes in gene expression gives us a new level of precision and raises new possibilities for understanding the mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Psychiatric Genetics: More Pieces of the Puzzle
By Thomas Insel on
Results of the two largest studies of their kind, to date, have identified new common gene variants associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The results implicate specific pathways and hold promise for development of new treatments.
A GPS for the Developing Human Brain
By Thomas Insel on
The first transcription (genetic expression) map of the brain was recently posted. This is a landmark for brain research.
Genomics: “The Future is Bright”
By Thomas Insel on
As we mark the 10th anniversary of the human genome’s sequencing, the heightening pace of progress promises to a bright future for psychiatric genetics.
NIMH’s Top 10 Research Events and Advances of 2010
By Thomas Insel on
10 breakthroughs and events of 2010 which are changing the way we approach mental disorders.
In Search of the Missing Genetic Signals
By Thomas Insel on
In recent years, NIMH-supported researchers have discovered several genes that are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and bipolar disorder. Most of these genes were discovered either through a candidate gene approach comparing cases and controls or by looking for linkage to genetic variation associated with occurrence of the disease in a family. However, the genomic variants discovered to date can explain only a small fraction of the genetic risk. So where are the missing genetic signals for mental disorders?