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Topic: Genetic Basis and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

Special Issue Introduction:
The etiology of psychiatric disease remains elusive. Although many psychiatric symptoms and diseases appear to
cluster within families, the genetic basis of psychiatric disease remains complex and elusive. There is little support for
classical Mendelian inheritance of psychiatric disorders. Many non-Mendelian inheritance models may account for the
genetic influence on psychiatric disorders; these include, but are not limited to: (1) complex interactions between genetic
predisposition and environmental factors including social-economic, nutritional, infectious and other factors; (2) polygenetic
and oligogenetic inheritance; (3) methylation and imprinting; and (4) mitochondrial inheritance. Still the manners in
which psychiatric disorders are defined and sub-classified have also influenced the results of the outcomes of genetic
studies. Advances in understanding neurobiology have started to provide insight as to the underlying biological nature
of behaviorally-defined conditions. Understanding perturbations in genes involved in specific pathways and mechanisms
such as channelopathies, neurotransmitters, cell signaling, energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, circadian rhythm,
synaptic plasticity, and synaptic structure have provided insights into the underlying biology. Using innovative techniques
to understand genetic mechanisms has provided advances in the field. Through a better understanding of the genetic
basis of psychiatric disease, we can look forward to the management and prevention of psychiatric disease through a
precise, personalized medicine approach. This Special Issue will highlight innovative studies examining the underlying
genetic basis of psychiatric disease, especially with respect to genetic alternation and variations which may impact optimal
treatments.

Guest Editor

Prof. Richard E. Frye

Prof. Richard E. Frye is a Child Neurologist specializing in neurodevelopmental
and neurometabolic disorders. He earned his MD and PhD in Physiology and
Biophysics from Georgetown University. His extensive training includes a
Pediatrics residency at the University of Miami, a Child Neurology residency
and a Fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Learning Disabilities at Harvard
University/Children’s Hospital Boston, as well as a Fellowship in Psychology
at Boston University. Additionally, he holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical
Science and Biostatistics from Drexel University. Prof. Frye is board-certified
in Pediatrics and Neurology with Special Competence in Child Neurology.
With over 300 publications and book chapters, Prof. Frye also serves on several
Editorial Boards.

Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics I