The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Genes Project
Predicting outcomes… Preventing disease
Researchers who study bipolar disorder have discovered an important connection between genes, stresses and environmental experiences. Understanding this connection is believed to be a key to conquering this illness.
Requirements for conquering bipolar illness include:
- Understanding the interactions between genes and life stresses in causing bipolar disorder
- Integrating genetics, stress, psychological factors and clinical studies to enable clinicians to make an accurate diagnosis, choose the best treatments, and prevent recurrences of the disease
- Diagnosing and treating individuals earlier in life, monitoring their progress over years to understand the different courses of the illness, and linking genetic vulnerabilities with clinical interventions.
As part of the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Genes Project, a large-scale DNA repository has been established at the University of Michigan Depression Center to study and conquer bipolar disorder. The Prechter Bipolar Genetic Repository is collecting DNA samples from 1,000 people diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as 1,000 healthy individuals. Unique characteristics of the Prechter Repository include the following:
- Emphasis on those with early onset, especially adolescents
- Ongoing relationships and frequent evaluations of participants at regular intervals to establish longitudinal patterns
- The first “translational” (‘bench-to-bedside”) bipolar project to integrate genetic, longitudinal biomedical and clinical outcome measures
- Incorporating established partnerships with Stanford, Cornell and Johns Hopkins Universities
- Confidential availability of coded DNA samples and clinical information to scientists worldwide to accelerate knowledge breakthroughs
To learn more about the Genes Project:
1-877 UM-GENES
(1-877-864-3637)
bpresearch@umich.edu
