Study finds knowledge of genetics and genomic medicine crucial for mental health providers to deliver informed, personalized care

Findings highlight importance of understanding the genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders

2025-03-26

(Press-News.org) San Diego—March 26, 2025– In a manuscript published today in the American Journal of Psychiatry titled Psychiatric Genetics in Clinical Practice: Essential Knowledge for Mental Health Professionals, authors provide updated guidelines on what mental health professionals should know about the latest advances in genetics and how genetics can inform clinical psychiatric practice.

Key findings highlight the importance of understanding the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders, the potential applications of genetic information in risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment selection, and patient education, as well as the ethical and social considerations surrounding the use of genetic data. The paper was developed by the International Society for Psychiatric Genetics Education Committee, which identified the subject matter as a priority topic.

“The complex interplay between genes and environment is a central theme in contemporary psychiatric genetics and one that has profound implications for how we conceptualize and address mental health conditions,” said Aaron D. Besterman, MD, Clinical Investigator at Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine and first author of the study. “By adopting a more holistic and integrative perspective that considers the full range of biological, psychological and social determinants of mental health, we can move toward a more personalized and effective model of care.” Besterman chairs the Society’s Education Committee and also has academic appointments at the University of California San Diego.

The paper notes that the field of psychiatric genetics has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by rapid advances in genomic technologies and large-scale international collaborative research efforts, making it critically important for mental health clinicians to stay informed about the latest findings and their clinical implications through ongoing education, collaboration with genetics professionals and effective communication strategies.

The manuscript provides an overview of several key areas in psychiatric genetics, all illuminated by brief case studies, that are important for mental health clinicians to understand, including heritability of genetic disorders, the role of common and rare genetic variants, epigenetics and gene expression, gene-environment interplay, pharmacogenomics, genetic counseling, and ethical and social issues.

The authors note that knowing how to interpret and communicate genetic risk, understanding the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, considering genetic factors in medication selection, and navigating the ethical implications of psychiatric genetics are all part of the expanding role of the mental health clinician.

Equally important, the paper states, is acknowledging that psychiatric disorders are complex, multifactorial conditions that cannot be reduced to simple genetic determinism.

“It is crucial to emphasize that genetic information is just one piece of the puzzle,” said Besterman. “Highlighting the complex interaction between genetic, social, psychological, and neurobiological factors, as well as the potential for symptoms to respond to various treatments, can help counter the misconception of ‘genetics as destiny.’”

Article link: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20240295

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