iversity matters: opportunities in the study of the genetics of psychotic disorders in low- and middle-income countries in Latin Americ

Author(s)

Fonseca, Lais ^{[1, 2]} ; Sena, Brena F. ^{[3, 4, 5]} ; Crossley, Nicolas ^{[6, 7]} ; Lopez-Jaramillo, Carlos ^{[8, 9]} ; Koenen, Karestan ^{[3, 4, 5]} ; Freimer, Nelson B. ^{[10, 11, 12]} ; Bressan, Rodrigo A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Belangero, Sintia I. ^{[13, 1]} ; Santoro, Marcos L. ^{[13, 1]} ; Gadelha, Ary ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Lab Interdisciplinar Neurociencia Clin LiNC, Rua Pedro Toledo 669, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psiquiatria, Programa Esquizofrenia PROESQ, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Harvard TH Chan Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Epidemiol, Boston, MA - USA

^[4] MIT, Broad Inst, Stanley Ctr Psychiat Res, Cambridge, MA - USA

^[5] Harvard, Cambridge, MA - USA

^[6] Kings Coll London, Inst Psychiat Psychol & Neurosci, Dept Psychosis Studies, London - England

^[7] Pontificia Univ Catolica Chile, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, Santiago - Chile

^[8] Univ Antioquia, Sch Med, Dept Psychiat, Res Grp Psychiat, Medellin - Colombia

^[9] Hosp San Vicente Fdn, Mood Disorders Program, Medellin - Colombia

^[10] Univ Calif UCLA, Dept Psychiat & Biobehav Sci, Los Angeles, CA - USA

^[11] UCLA, Semel Inst Neurosci & Human Behav, Ctr Neurobehav Genet, Los Angeles, CA - USA

^[12] UCLA, Dept Human Genet, Los Angeles, CA - USA

^[13] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Morfol & Genet, Disciplina Genet, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria; v. 43, n. 6, p. 631-637, NOV-DEC 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Lack of diversity regarding genetic and environmental backgrounds weakens the generalization and clinical applicability of research findings on psychotic disorders. Notably, Latin Americans have been generally neglected in genetic studies, comprising less than 2% of genome-wide association study samples. But Latin American populations represent a unique opportunity for research, given the exceptionally high ethnic admixture of this group. Increasing genetic diversity is essential to improve the fine mapping of known regions associated with psychotic disorders, discover novel genetic associations, and replicate studies. Additionally, Latin America is characterized by massive social, political, and economic inequalities, all known risk factors for mental health issues, including psychotic disorders. This article aims to 1) discuss the challenges and advantages of studying Latin America's particular genetic makeup and environmental context; 2) review previous studies conducted in the region; and 3) describe three Latin American research initiatives in progress: the Neuropsychiatric Genetics of Psychosis in Mexican Populations (NeuroMEX), the Paisa, and the Latin American Network for the Study of Early Psychosis (ANDES) studies. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/50740-5 - Prevention in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from neuroscience to the community: a multiphase, multimodal and translational platform for research and intervention
• Grantee: Rodrigo Affonseca Bressan
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants