What we do
About our project
Understanding Intergenerational Risk
Half of all mental illnesses begin before age 14 and are often linked to parental psychiatric risk. I-RISK investigates whether these associations are causal or correlational, aiming to inform strategies that can break the cycle of intergenerational mental illness.
Innovative Genetically Informed Methods
We apply advanced methodologies, such as the trio genetic design, to trace how psychiatric risk is transmitted from parents to children. This includes both direct and indirect genetic transmission, offering new insights into the aetiology of child psychiatric symptoms.
Biological and Environmental Mechanisms
We study how environmental factors-including parenting-and child-specific neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., epigenetics, brain development) mediate the transmission of psychiatric risk. This work is based on deeply phenotyped, multi-cohort data from over 100.000 participants.
Large-Scale European Collaboration
I-RISK brings together four of Europe’s largest child cohorts, including the Generation R Study based at Erasmus MC, and generates new genomic data to catalyze a step-change in prevention research. The project is funded by the European Research Council.
More information can be found via the links below:
- Internal: InDEPTH Lab
- External: C-MAP
Our research focus
Causal Intergenerational Inference
Our central focus is on developing and applying causal inference tools to understand how parental risk traits influence psychiatric outcomes in children. This approach goes beyond mere associations, aiming to identify underlying mechanisms that drive intergenerational transmission.
Intermediate Phenotypes Across Domains
We investigate both biological and psychosocial mediators to uncover how risk unfolds in children across developmental stages. By identifying intermediate phenotypes, we aim to pinpoint promising targets for prevention and early intervention.
Multi-Cohort, Multi-Level Approach
Through the integration of genetic, environmental, and phenotypic data from major European cohorts, our harmonized, large-scale analyses maximize statistical power and enable robust, generalizable findings across populations.
Breaking the Cycle of Inequality
Ultimately, I-RISK seeks to inform preventive strategies that not only improve mental health outcomes but also address the broader social and health inequalities that psychiatric risk perpetuates across generations.
Funds & Grants
Collaborations
Collaborations outside of Erasmus MC
- Professor Jean-Baptiste Pingault, University College London (UCL), Principal Investigator.
Our team
- Jean-Baptiste Pingault
e-mail: j.pingault@ucl.ac.uk
