Imaging Genetics Overseas Researcher Project UCSD

Psychiatric disorders are now recognized as leading causes of morbidity and rank as some of the most costly disorders to affect humans, but the disease mechanisms are still mostly unknown. Recent breakthroughs in genetics have identified molecular mechani sms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Brain imaging techniques, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have revolutionized the understanding of the human brain, with subsequent potential to identify brain pathology underlying severe psychiatri c disorders. Together, imaging and genetics have a huge potential to increase the knowledge about schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and their treatment. We aim to determine the neuronal substrates of severe mental disorders by combining MRI and genotypes , using state of the art quantitative MRI brain imaging tools, whole genome genotyping and new statistical methods. We will use this information to develop clinical useful tools for automatic analysis of brain imaging and genotype data, to be used for ear ly detection, stratification, course and outcome prediction, based on our large datasets from patients and controls from Oslo (TOP sample). The project is based on an extension of ongoing collaboration between Univ. of Oslo and Univ. of California, San Di ego, and 8 months guest research period in San Diego. The groups involved in this project have already developed and tested the methods to be used, and the data has been collected. The applicant will participate in the data analysis team in San Diego, who has unique and extensive expertise in imaging data analysis and statistical methods. Further, the mobility grant will lead to acquisition of new knowledge in brain imaging technology and analytical methods, which the applicant will bring back to Norway a nd implemented in new psychiatric imaging genetic studies. The project will lead to increased Norwegian-US research collaboration, as well as unique new knowledge about pathology of severe mental illness.