Translational insights into the genetic etiology of mental health disorders: Examining risk factor models, neuroimaging, and current dissemination practices

• Main Author: Bourdon, Jessica L
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2019
• Subjects: translational science; behavioral genetics; mental health; Mental Disorders; Other Genetics and Genomics; Psychiatric and Mental Health; Translational Medical Research
• Online Access: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5734; https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6811&context=etd

Psychiatric genetics is a basic science field that has potential for practical application and effective translation. To date, translational frameworks utilized by this field have been linear (e.g., sequential) in nature, focusing on molecular genetic information. It is proposed that non-linear (e.g., socio-ecological) frameworks are a better way to immediately translate non-molecular genetic information. This dissertation explored the translation of psychiatric genetic information in two ways. First, a survey was sent to academic stakeholders to assess the state of the science regarding the translation of genetic information to the clinical care of mental health disorders. Findings from this indicate a translation-genetic competence gap whereby genetic knowledge reinforces linear frameworks and genetic competence is needed to achieve effective translation in this content area. Second, a new risk factor model for social anxiety was created that incorporated genetic, environmental, and neurophysiological risk factors (behavioral inhibition, parental bonding, emotion reactivity). Findings indicate that genetic etiology is more informative knowledge that can influence risk factor models and possibly prevention and intervention efforts for social anxiety. Overall this dissertation paves the way for examining the translational capacity of psychiatric genetics in a clinical setting. It constitutes the first examination of barriers to and a potential solution for the most effective translation of psychiatric genetic information.