Dr. David Glahn from Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center and Department of Psychiatry, Yale University was invited by Dr. Raymond Chan of the Key Lab of Mental Health, to deliver a talk in the Institute of Psychology on Oct 14th.

The title of Dr. Glahn’s talk was “Neurocognitive Endophenotypes for Affective and Psychotic Disorders”. During this talk, Dr. Glahn firstly introduced the concept and importance of endophenotypes for studying neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly in affect and psychotic disorders. He then illustrated the application of neurocognitive endophenotypes for bipolar disorders and schizophrenia based on his cross-cultural studies from United States, Mexico and Costa Rita. Finally, he also added a comment for the future direction of bipolar disorders and schizophrenia should combine endophenotype approach and genetic work in order to answer the unsolved issues of neuropsychiatric disorders in the coming years.

The main purpose for Dr. Glahn’s visit was to attend the Endophenotype Strategy Symposium organized by Dr. Raymond Chan during Oct 11-13th. The symposium was to highlight the importance of endophenotype strategy for studying neuropsychiatric disorders in mainland China. During his visit, Dr. Glahn has discussed and explored the possibilities of collaboration with the NACN (Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience) Lab, Lab members, and shared his expertise in neuroimaging work, particularly heritability of brain functions, with Dr. Chan’s team.