Translating Genetic Discoveries into Psychiatric Care

Many serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, are influenced in part by genetics. X-Lab studies how genetic differences influence the risk, presentation, and treatment of these conditions. Our work examines not only which genetic variants increase vulnerability, but also how those variants shape symptoms, cognition, insight, and related medical conditions. Understanding how genetic risk affects the way illness appears in different people can help clinicians recognize meaningful subtypes and anticipate care needs. Our long-term goal is to use genetic information to support more informed psychiatric assessment and treatment decisions and to develop practical tools that help clinicians incorporate genomics into everyday mental-health care.