Genetics of Mental Disorders: A Guide for Students, Clinicians, and Researchers

This volume offers a comprehensive and readable introduction to the science and practice of psychiatric genetics. The authors illuminate the complex interplay of genes and environmental factors involved in the causation and expression of frequently encountered disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and Alzheimer disease. Outlining important recent findings, the book describes not only what scientists have learned, but also how these discoveries have been made. Clinicians, students, and researchers will gain the basic knowledge they need to evaluate reports of genetic research, understand implications for treatment, and communicate genetic information to clients and families. Throughout, the authors give special attention to the critical ethical and professional concerns raised by new and emerging technologies.

Stephen V. Faraone, PhD, is currently Associate Professor of Psychology in the Harvard Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, and Director of Research, Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Ming T. Tsuang, MD, PhD, DSc, is currently Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; Superintendent and Head of the Harvard Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center; and Director of the Institute of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Genetics jointly sponsored by the Harvard Schools of Medicine and Public Health.

Debby W. Tsuang, MD, MS, is currently Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology at the University of Washington. She is also a research investigator in the Veterans Affairs Mental Illness Research, Clinical and Education Center (MIRECC), based at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

Long Bios
Stephen V. Faraone earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Iowa and completed postdoctoral training in psychiatric epidemiology and genetics at Brown Medical School. He is currently Associate Professor of Psychology in Harvard Medical School's Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, and Director of Research, Pediatric Psychopharmacology Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Faraone is Associate Editor of Neuropsychiatric Genetics and maintains a research program in the genetics of schizophrenia, mood disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Ming T. Tsuang is internationally known for his studies of the psychiatric epidemiology, nosology, and genetics of schizophrenia and mood disorders. Subsequent to receiving his MD from National Taiwan University, he earned his PhD in psychiatry and DSc in epidemiology and genetics at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London. Currently, Dr. Tsuang is Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School; Superintendent and Head, Harvard Department of Psychiatry at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center; and Director of the Institute of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Genetics jointly sponsored by the Harvard Schools of Medicine and Public Health. He is also Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Linkage Study of Schizophrenia at the Brockton/West Roxbury VA Medical Center. He serves as Editor of Neuropsychiatric Genetics and continues to pursue epidemiological and genetic studies of schizophrenia, mood disorders, and substance use disorders. Dr. Tsuang is a Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences and of the Academia Sinica of Taiwan. He was also elected Fellow in the American College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom. For his contributions to psychiatric genetics, Dr. Tsuang was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics.

Debby W. Tsuang received her MD and MS (Psychiatric Epidemiology) from the University of Iowa. She completed her geriatric psychiatry fellowship at the University of Washington, with an emphasis on genetics of dementia. She is currently Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology at the University of Washington. She is also a research investigator in the Veterans Affairs Mental Illness Research, Clinical and Education Center (MIRECC), based at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Dr. Tsuang serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several journals in geriatric and general psychiatry and medical genetics. Her research focuses on the genetics of Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, and schizophrenia.