Psychiatric Genetics In South Africa: The Status QUO

Abstract

For a number of decades, researchers have observed that genetic variability plays a crucial role in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs), and academics have been making large strides in the identification and elucidation of the molecular underpinnings of these disorders. Sadly, South Africa is lagging behind our Western counterparts, as is the rest of the African continent. Although small, satellite psychiatric genetics activities exist at various research institutions in South Africa, there is no critical mass of expertise concentrated in one research hub. In addition, there is surprisingly little collaboration amongst those few researchers who are involved in the psychiatric genetics field in South Africa or Africa, which is in stark contrast to the large, powerful collaborations that have been built up in and between Europe, the United Kingdom, and USA.In South Africa, as many as one in three individuals suffer from psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and substance abuse disorders and depression. In addition, as many as 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa suffer from a mental disorder. Burden of disease estimates indicate that NPDs are the third highest cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder and schizophrenia falling into the top 20 causes of years lived with disability in South Africa. It has been estimated that only about one quarter of South Africans with NPDs seek treatment, largely due to stigmatisation. There is thus a dire need to develop a culture of molecular psychiatric research in South Africa. Not only will this play an important role in elucidating the pathology of NPDs, but will also play a crucial role in destigmatising mental illness in communities from which samples are sourced.I will discuss the progress that has been made with regards to psychiatric genetics in South Africa, and touch on the challenges that we, as a country, face in the field.