Japanese-German Neuroscience Research Network Focusing on Psychosis, Affective Disorders & Related Traits (inactive)

It can be assumed that both genetic and environmental factors increase or decrease the risk of mental illness are somewhat population-specific. Such population differences may be largest between central European and East Asian populations. Well-orchestrated genetic studies performed in parallel in both Germany and Japan may help to identify both the factors shared across the two populations and those unique to either of them. To comprehensively describe pathogenetic mechanisms, genetic studies need to be complemented by other biological approaches, like epigenetics, imaging, and systems biology.

Given that mental illnesses such as psychoses (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) are among the top 10 leading causes of the global disease burden, any progress in the identification of risk and protective factors will make an important contribution to public health world-wide.

We propose a Japanese-German research network to plan and coordinate joint projects in psychosis research, comprising all aspects of modern neuroscience research. Such a network will also constitute an ideal framework for the exchange of young scientists.