🌅 Some Mental Health Disorders Share Genetic Roots

SOURCE

Grotzinger et al. (2025)

WHAT TO KNOW

• A new study by an international team of researchers used data from over 6 million people to map the genetic landscape of 14 psychiatric conditions, finding the conditions can be classified into five major groups, depending on the genetic variants associated with them. For example, the study grouped together anorexia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's syndrome based on their shared genetic profile. The authors say their study is the largest genetic analysis of psychiatric disorders ever published and provides new insights into why having multiple disorders is the norm rather than the exception.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Scientists have long known that the majority of people diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder will ultimately be diagnosed with a second or third within their lifetime, making it difficult to define and treat the conditions. The findings suggest disorders within the same group may stem from shared biological mechanisms, which could help scientists develop treatments that work across multiple conditions. The authors say their work marks an important step forward in understanding the genetic connections underpinning different disorders and could one day help clinicians better serve their patients.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• The researchers also found many of the genetic variants linked to psychiatric disorders are also linked to other traits, like intelligence, insomnia, personality differences, social behaviors, and socioeconomic status. Experts say the links aren’t entirely negative. For example, the genetic overlap between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is also associated with traits that support academic success, like creativity and persistence.