Language
English
Publication Date
5-1-2025
Journal
Nature Genetics
DOI
10.1038/s41588-025-02127-z
PMID
40175716
PMCID
PMC12133068
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
11-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are highly heritable and polygenic, influenced by environmental factors and often comorbid. Large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs) through consortium efforts have identified genetic risk loci and revealed the underlying biology of psychiatric disorders and traits. However, over 85% of psychiatric GWAS participants are of European ancestry, limiting the applicability of these findings to non-European populations. Latin America and the Caribbean, regions marked by diverse genetic admixture, distinct environments and healthcare disparities, remain critically understudied in psychiatric genomics. This threatens access to precision psychiatry, where diversity is crucial for innovation and equity. This Review evaluates the current state and advancements in psychiatric genomics within Latin America and the Caribbean, discusses the prevalence and burden of psychiatric disorders, explores contributions to psychiatric GWASs from these regions and highlights methods that account for genetic diversity. We also identify existing gaps and challenges and propose recommendations to promote equity in psychiatric genomics.
Keywords
Humans, Latin America, Genome-Wide Association Study, Mental Disorders, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genetic Variation, Caribbean Region, Genomics, Latin America, Caribbean, Psychiatric genetics, Genome-Wide Association Study, Diversity, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Admixture
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Bruxel, Estela M; Rovaris, Diego L; Belangero, Sintia I; et al., "Psychiatric Genetics in the Diverse Landscape of Latin American Populations" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 5015.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/5015
Included in
Genetic Phenomena Commons, Genetic Processes Commons, Genetic Structures Commons, Medical Genetics Commons, Medical Molecular Biology Commons, Medical Specialties Commons