We have long known that human behavior stems from a combination of nature and nurture, genetics and environment. The details however, have escaped scientists. Why do some children grow up in appalling environments and yet develop into happy and creative people? Why do others develop long-standing emotional, behavioural, and substance use problems despite having grown up with love and security?

With the completion of human genome project, and huge advances in our ability to measure the “environment” children are exposed to, scientists have begun to identify how specific genes interact with upbringing to influence children’s mental health. Two well known examples are:
•    The MAOA gene. Children with the short allele of this gene who are exposed to abusive neglectful parenting are more likely to develop chronic patterns of antisocial behavior;
•    The serotonin 5-HTT system: Children with the short allele of this gene who have been neglected and abused are more likely to develop depression;

These findings have led to a flourishing of research into specific genes and risk for mental health problems. Our UNSW team is currently running one of the most innovative studies in this regard. In collaboration with the Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme and the UNSW Child Behaviour Research Clinic, we are assessing all children referred for mental health problems on a comprehensive battery of measures that includes their genetic profile. So far we have genetic profiles for approximately 400 children with a range of mental health disorders including conduct problems, ADHD, anxiety and depression, and autism spectrum disorders.

Thanks to the National Health and Medical research Council of Australia, we are funded to look at specific associations between specific alleles and mental health profiles. However, in the area of basic genetics, there has been enormous progress in our understanding of how genes relate to observable human traits. It is becoming clear that traits, like personality and mental health problems, will be based on the complex interactions of many genes working in concert, as well as complex processes affecting how the genes are transcribed into the developing body and brain. Rather than looking at the action of specific genes, state-of-the-art procedures require looking at the whole person’s profile, via what is called a “genome wide scan (GWS)”.

We are in a unique position to conduct some of the highest quality GWSs with regard to mental health. From our existing sample of children, we are able to select “pure” and highly representative samples of children with the major mental health problems: conduct problems, ADHD, anxiety and depression, and autism spectrum disorder. We could then build one of the most comprehensive genetic data bases in which comprehensive genetic profiles could be tested against the child’s diagnosis, demographic profile, history of parenting, and neurobehavioural functioning.

A GWS costs about $3,000 per child. With 10 highly representative children in each of the four major mental health categories, we would need $120,000 to complete the project.