Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC) Whole Genome Sequencing and Genotyping Study

The Center for Genomic Psychiatry at the University of Southern California (USC), SUNY Downstate and an extensive network of academic medical centers have created the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC). The GPC consists of a large clinical cohort of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and healthy controls. The data generation of genotyping and whole genome sequencing of the GPC has been done in collaboration with the USC and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Genome-wide association studies are being performed with the samples to identify genetic risks for psychiatric disease. Genotyping is also being used to determine ancestry informative markers and replication of candidate genes. Whole genome sequencing identifies functional variants associated with disease risk.]]>
GPC Paper ScreenerParticipants were recruited from urban, suburban, and rural populations across the United States and in selected sites abroad. Individuals suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are ascertained as in-patients in acute care or chronic care settings, out-patients, or community dwelling. All subjects will be 18 or older. Both males and females will be actively recruited, including pregnant females and hospitalized patients. All cases meet lifetime diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia (any subtype) in accordance with the OPCRIT algorithms for DSM-IV and/or ICD-10 criteria. Control participants were drawn from the same geographic area as case participants, either within health care facilities or as community volunteers. Both potential cases (patients suffering with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and controls (unaffected participants) were asked to complete a questionnaire (Screening Questionnaire) to assess their psychiatric history.]]>
The University of Southern California (USC Center for Genomic Psychiatry), the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Broad Institute (Stanley Center) and a nation-wide network of academic medical centers have created the Genomic Psychiatry Cohort (GPC). GPC is a large clinical cohort of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and controls, comprised of nearly equal numbers of European-Ancestry, African-Ancestry and Latino-Ancestry, that will be prospectively followed in order to allow ongoing careful assessment of phenotype and the possibility of future nested case-control studies. Members of the cohort are long-term patients that have agreed to participate in studies related to understanding the genetic and environmental risks for these disorders. This type of population study is critical to understanding risk, helping develop treatments, and understanding prevention of this major illness. Genome-wide association studies are being performed with the samples to identify genetic risks for psychiatric disease. Genotyping is also being used to determine ancestry informative markers and replication of candidate genes. Finally, whole genome sequencing is ongoing to identify functional variants associated with disease risk. ]]>