About UCLA BEARDEN LAB
About Us
The Bearden lab’s research aims to understand genetic, cognitive, and neurobiological risk factors for the development of adolescent-onset neuropsychiatric disorders.
- The investigation of early biomarkers associated with the development of serious mental illness.
- The study of neurobehavioral manifestations of syndromes with an identified genetic origin.
Our lab uses translational approaches to understand disrupted brain circuitry in developmental neuropsychiatric disorders.
Current Projects
One of our goals is to identify early biomarkers for serious mental illness, which can guide treatment.
01.
Rare Disease (22q11.2 and 16p11.2 Copy Number Variant) Study
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is a genetic disorder causing craniofacial anomalies, heart defects, developmental delays, and psychiatric conditions in approximately 1 in 4000 people, with ongoing research to understand it and the less-known 22q11.2 Duplication Syndrome, while a separate study focuses on the causes and clinical impacts of 16p11.2 Deletion or Duplication Syndrome in participants over seven years old.
02.
Psychosis-Risk Outcomes Network
(ProNet)
The Psychosis Risk Outcomes Network (ProNET) is an NIH and FNIH-funded research study aimed at understanding the causes and progression of early psychosis stages, focusing on clinical high-risk syndromes and their potential development into full psychosis, particularly in young people, with the goal of improving prediction and treatment to possibly alter or prevent the illness’s course.
03.
Genetics of Serious mental Illness
Conducted in collaboration with Drs. Nelson Freimer and Carlos Lopez-Jaramillo at the Universidad de Antioquia focus on the genetics of serious mental illness in the Paisa population in Colombia.
Center for Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS)
We are also investigating risk factors for psychosis in youth with subthreshold clinical symptoms indicating high risk for the development of psychotic illness at CAPPS.
