title: Genetic studies of neuropsychiatric disorders in Costa Rica: a model for the use of isolated populations.
abstract: The importance of genetics in understanding the etiology of mental illness has become increasingly clear in recent years, as more evidence has mounted that almost all neuropsychiatric disorders have a genetic component. It has also become clear, however, that these disorders are etiologically complex, and multiple genetic and environmental factors contribute to their makeup. So far, traditional linkage mapping studies have not definitively identified specific disease genes for neuropsychiatric disorders, although some potential candidates have been identified via these methods (e.g. the dysbindin gene in schizophrenia; Straub et al., 2002; Schwab et al., 2003). For this reason, alternative approaches are being attempted, including studies in genetically isolated populations. Because isolated populations have a high degree of genetic homogeneity, their use may simplify the process of identifying disease genes in disorders where multiple genes may play a role. Several areas of Latin America contain genetically isolated populations that are well suited for the study of neuropsychiatric disorders. Genetic studies of several major psychiatric illnesses, including bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, Tourette Syndrome, alcohol dependence, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, are currently underway in these regions. In this paper we highlight the studies currently being conducted by our groups in the Central Valley of Costa Rica to illustrate the potential advantages of this population for genetic studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0810, USA. camathews@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mathews
authors.forename: Victor I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Reus
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bejarano
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Escamilla
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: Luis Diego
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Thomas L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: L Alison
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Roel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ophoff
authors.forename: Henrietta
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raventos
authors.forename: Lodewijk A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sandkuijl
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Service
authors.forename: Mitzi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spesny
authors.forename: Pedro E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Nelson B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Freimer
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics; D003364:Costa Rica / Q000453:epidemiology; D040961:Genetic Drift; D006801:Humans; D007197:Indians, Central American / Q000235:genetics; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011287:Prejudice; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D012934:Social Isolation; D013030:Spain / Q000208:ethnology; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics