Menu

Search

Popular Search Resources for

Home/Education & Training/Residency & Fellowship Programs/Psychiatry/Research

The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC)

The Genomic Psychiatry Cohort was founded by Drs. Michele and Carlos Pato to enroll a large clinical cohort of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, and control participants.

The GPC was formed from an initial population of ~10,000 participants from earlier studies. Over the past six years, we have enrolled an additional 23,000 participants. (~9,000 Caucasian, ~5,000 African American, ~8,000 Latino, ~1,000 other). Along with Downstate Medical Center participation we hope to enroll another 15,000 - 20,000 participants.

Our goal is to learn more about contributing factors to health and well being. We hope our research will lead to discoveries not only in genetics but also in disease definition, assessment, and treatment. A better understanding of a person's genetic code, and the effects of one's environment can improve maintenance of good health.

At this time, our largest studies are to explore the complex illnesses of Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, that cause enormous human suffering. Although there is some knowledge on the heritability of these disorders, more specific information is needed to understand the role of genes and environment. Our ultimate goal is to produce large, well-powered studies to better understand these interactions.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling.

Read more about Schizophrenia from the National Institute of Mental Health

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely "up," elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, "down," or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

Read more about Bipolar Disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common, chronic and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.

Read more about OCD from the National Institute of Mental Health

Participate in Our Research Studies:

Research has shown that genes can make some people more likely than others to develop Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. The goal of our study is to identify these genes.

We are looking for individuals both WITH and WITHOUT these illnesses to participate.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • 18 years or older
  • Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression), or Schizoaffective Disorder

OR

  • 18 years or older
  • No Personal or Family History of Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression), or Schizoaffective Disorder

STUDY PROCEDURES:

  • Complete a screening questionnaire on personal and family health history
  • Be interviewed by a clinician about your symptoms
  • Give a small blood sample (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Be compensated for your time and effort

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact us at:
Email: InstituteforGenomicHealth@downstate.edu
Phone: 718.270.8254

All inquiries are confidential.

Research has shown that genes can make some people more likely than others to develop Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related Disorders. The goal of our study is to identify these genes.

Do you suffer from obsessions?

Unwelcome and distressing ideas, thoughts or images that repeatedly enter your mind.

Do you suffer from compulsions?

Behaviors or acts that you feel driven to perform although you may recognize them as senseless or excessive. If you answered YES to one or both of the questions above, you may be eligible to participate.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • 7 years of age old or older
  • Have symptoms or a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related Disorders (Hoarding Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hair Pulling Disorder/Trichotillomania, and Skin Picking Disorder/Excoriation Disorder)

STUDY PROCEDURES:

  • Complete a screening questionnaire on personal and family health history
  • Be interviewed by a clinician about your symptoms
  • Give a small blood sample (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Be compensated for your time and effort

If you would like to participate, please click on the link below:
ON-LINE QUESTIONNAIRE

You will be asked to read and agree to our Informed Consent and to complete our on-line questionnaire. This questionnaire should take between 15-40 minutes to complete and will ask general questions about you and specific questions about your health and medical history. Take as much time as you need.

Please contact us after completing the questionnaire to schedule an in-person interview with one of our clinicians, or if you have any difficulties completing the questionnaire.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact us at:
Email: InstituteforGenomicHealth@downstate.edu
Phone: 718.270.8254

All inquiries are confidential.

GPC Publications

Contact Us