Human Genetics Branch

About Us

The Human Genetics Branch studies the genetic contributions to psychiatric, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders so that better methods of diagnosis and treatment can be developed.

Genetic Basis of Mood and Anxiety Disorders Section (GBMAD)

Our mission is to discover genes that contribute to the risk for mood and anxiety disorders. We are particularly interested in the way in which risk alleles shape aspects of the phenotype, such as clinical symptoms, treatment outcomes, and neuroimaging measures. Our long-term objective is to assemble a more complete picture of the genetic architecture of these disorders so that better methods of diagnosis and treatment can be developed.

Section on Developmental Neurogenomics (SDN)

The Section on Developmental Neurogenomics (SDN) is dedicated to better understanding the biology of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders in ways that might ultimately help to improve disease prediction, detection and treatment. Cross-cutting themes of special interest within our Unit include sex-differences, allometry, and structure-function relationships within the central nervous system.