“The Genetics of Mental Health”

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Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 7 p.m.
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W., Toronto, Ontario
(corner of Gladstone Ave. and Queen St., just east of Dufferin St.)
RSVP: cafescientifique@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

As with many diseases, mental health disorders can run in families, suggesting that genetics plays a role. In recent years, scientists have made substantial progress in identifying the genetic and environmental forces contributing to mental health.

This research has changed the traditional understanding of the origin of mental illness. What is the current knowledge of genetics and mental health disorders, and what does the future seem likely to hold? Will the fundamental causes of schizophrenia, autism, mental health illnesses and other developmental disabilities be uncovered in the next decade? Will there be genetic testing for such disorders? What are the ethical issues that will need to be addressed? Does genetics hold the promise of improved treatment?

Please join us for refreshments and a lively discussion about the latest health research evidence related to this issue. This event is presented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and its Institute of Genetics, in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Moderator:

Dr. Roderick McInnes
Scientific Director, CIHR's Institute of Genetics

Experts:

Dr. Peter Szatmari
BA, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Director, Offord Centre for Child Studies
McMaster Children's Hospital
Professor, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioural Neurosciences
McMaster University

Dr. Arturas Petronis
MD, PhD
Head, Krembil Family
Epigenetics Laboratory,
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Professor, Departments of
Psychiatry and Pharmacology
University of Toronto

Dr. Trudo Lemmens
Lic. Jur. (K.U. Leuven), LL.M., DCL
Associate Professor
Faculty of Law
University of Toronto