From: "V.L.Nimgaonkar, M.D." <nimga+@pitt.edu> Organization: University of Pittsburgh

We are trying to find out why people get psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (manic depressive psychosis) and schizoaffective disorder. We are particularly interested in finding out why they seem to run in families. This could be due to inherited factors, and/or due to factors in the environment. In order to examine these possibilities, we are using inherited markers in the blood for two kinds of studies:

(I) Studies in which well members of the family are compared with ill members: Families with one or more ill members can participate. The ill member and the parents are required. If one of the parents are unavailable, the other parent and the siblings can be of help. The blood tests are conducted among all the participants in the family, and the results from the ill members are compared with the well members, in order to identify differences between the two groups.

(ii) Studies in which ill members in the same family are compared among themselves Families with two or more ill siblings (brothers/sisters) can participate. The ill members and the parents are required. If one of the parents are unavailable, the other parent and the siblings can be of help. The blood tests are conducted among all the participants in the family, and the results from the ill members are compared, in order to see if they share any of the inherited markers.

We have been conducting these studies in our clinic for the past five years, under grants from the federal government (National Institute of Mental Health). It has become clear that more participants are required for the tests to be useful. Therefore, we are requesting your help.

What is required We need approximately two hours of your time, in order to collect relevant information. We also require two tablespoonfuls of blood. All this can be done at your home or in our clinic. If you live far from Pittsburgh, we will arrange to have the blood drawn by your doctor, and interview you over the phone. If you live near Pittsburgh, we will pay for travel expenses. In addition, all participants will receive $10. We ensure strict confidentiality.

We would be happy to explain the studies further. Please call 412 624 0823, fax 412 624 3429 or e mail us on nimga+@pitt.edu. Our home page address is http://www.pitt.edu/~nimga/

Thank you.

Vishwajit L. Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Phone 412 624 0823; Fax 412 624 3429;
e mail nimga@pitt.edu