Project Overview

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are two psychiatric conditions that affect approximately 2% of the general population. Genetic studies have identified mutations in hundreds of genes associated with ASD and SZ. This suggests that many different mechanisms are causing these disorders in patients. This great diversity has hindered our progress in understanding the mechanisms leading to these psychiatric conditions and genetic information is not yet been fully used in clinical psychiatry. In this project, we intend to use recent genetic discoveries to classify patients with autism and schizophrenia. We will identify in large autism and schizophrenia cohorts from Montreal and our international collaborators, patients who carry specific genetic mutations. We will compare them to patients who have other types of mutation or no identified mutation. This study will advance our knowledge on how these particular mutations lead to psychiatric symptoms and the differences in symptoms between individuals who carry mutations in different genes. If this project is successful, we will be able to identify individuals who are at a higher risk of suffering from autism or schizophrenia and establish early interventions. We will also be able to distinguish between different forms of theses disorders to avoid applying the same therapeutic approach to all patients. These are first steps in improving personalized care in psychiatric disorders.

Principal Investigator

Sébastien Jacquemont , Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre

Team Members

Laurent Mottron, Université de Montréal

Ridha Joober, McGill University

Guy Rouleau, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute

Alan Evans, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University

Carl Ernst, Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Sylvain Baillet, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University

Mayada Elsabbagh, McGill University

Paul Pavlidis, University of British Columbia

Sarah Lippé, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre

Emmanuelle Lemyre, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Centre

Partners and Donors

CHU Sainte Justine Research Centre

Université de Montréal

Montreal Neurological Institute