A&M Researchers Use Genetic Mapping to Uncover Shared Roots of Psychiatric Disorders

Study finds surprising genetic overlap between conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, offering hope for new treatments.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Researchers at Texas A&M's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences are working to create a genetic map that could explain the origins and causes of psychiatric disorders. The project, part of the international Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, has uncovered surprising genetic overlaps between conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting the current diagnostic system based on the DSM manual may be too subjective. The researchers hope these findings can lead to the development of novel treatments, as there haven't been new classes of psychiatric drugs in about 30 years.

Why it matters

The current diagnostic system for mental health conditions relies heavily on subjective assessments, leading to frequent disagreements among clinicians. By mapping the genetic underpinnings of psychiatric disorders, researchers hope to develop more objective and accurate ways to identify and treat these conditions, which carry significant stigma in society compared to physical ailments.

The details

The researchers analyzed massive datasets from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium's disorder-specific working groups, looking for overlaps in genetic risk factors across conditions. They found that the same genetic risks often contribute to multiple psychiatric disorders, with very few genes unique to any single condition. For example, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder shared most of their genetic signals. The team hopes these findings can lead to the development of novel treatments, as there haven't been new classes of psychiatric drugs in about 30 years.

  • The project was conceived in 2010 when researchers in psychiatric genetics realized no single lab could gather genetic data from millions of people on its own.
  • The initial study is now complete, and the team is pivoting to research that expands the scope of their data and examines how life experiences interact with DNA.

The players

Brad Verhulst

A professor and co-author of the study from Texas A&M's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Psychiatric Genomics Consortium

An international group of researchers that pool genetic data to study psychiatric disorders and their shared genetic risk.

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What they’re saying

“It would be really nice to have a more objective, independent way of classifying people and of diagnosing people. That, however, is currently science fiction. But that's where we want to go with this. The more we understand the biology of psychiatric disorders, the better and closer we're going to be to improving diagnostic techniques and improving treatment.”

— Brad Verhulst, Professor (thebatt.com)

“It's important to understand that genes aren't destiny. We don't necessarily have the same kind of treatment, or same kind of biases, or stigma towards people with heart disease or cancer as we do towards people with psychiatric problems. So we need to reduce that stigma as a society. That involves becoming more inclusive, allowing for people to be who they are and accepting people with whatever limitations and strengths that they may have.”

— Brad Verhulst, Professor (thebatt.com)

What’s next

The researchers are now pivoting to expand the scope of their data and examine how life experiences interact with DNA, including looking at how environmental factors can alter the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders.

The takeaway

This research highlights the need for a more objective, biological understanding of mental health conditions in order to improve diagnosis and treatment, while also addressing the significant societal stigma surrounding psychiatric disorders compared to physical ailments.