From October 15th to 19th, Enya Nordon, a PhD student in our group, attended the World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG) in Singapore. As one of the leading conferences in the field, WCPG brought together researchers, clinicians, and geneticists from around the globe to discuss cutting-edge advancements in psychiatric genetics. The program featured an impressive range of keynote lectures, symposia, and networking opportunities, addressing the complex genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders. Themes included advancements in polygenic risk score analysis, novel methodologies in genomics, and the intersection of genetics with clinical practice.
Enya presented a poster on the genetic interplay between neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions (NDPCs) and sleep disturbances, focusing on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Using polygenic score analysis, her research revealed significant associations, such as between ADHD genetic risk and sleep disturbances in children. These findings provide new insights into the shared genetic factors underlying sleep disruptions and NDPCs, sparking valuable feedback from attendees. Enya's PhD project is funded by the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research.
Another highlight was a presentation by Shane Crinion, also a PhD student in the group, on the genetic heterogeneity of bipolar disorder (BD). His talk showcased findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on BD subtypes, including psychosis, schizoaffective-type BD, unipolar mania, and rapid cycling. Shane identified novel genetic loci, such as SCN3B, associated with these subphenotypes, shedding light on their distinct genetic underpinnings. His research advances understanding of the biological diversity within BD and sparked engaging discussions among attendees.
The conference was an invaluable opportunity for the group to share research, gain new perspectives, and build collaborations, demonstrating their contributions to advancing the field of psychiatric genetics.
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