Steven E. Hyman, MD, Director, Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research & Core Institute Member, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University;Distinguished Service Professor & Harald McPike Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University

It is no secret that the DSM classification fails clinicians, patients, and researchers in many important applications. It is less well recognized, but nonetheless true that the DSM system is irreparable, because its basic conceptualization and design are fundamentally flawed. The DSM classification posits nearly 300 diagnoses conceptualized as being categorically discontinuous from health and from each other. Today evidence favoring dimensional over categorical diagnoses for mental illness is compelling. What is to be done? Dr. Hyman will argue for organization of large longitudinal cohorts based on broad spectra such as psychosis, internalizing and externalizing spectra, and appropriate unaffected controls. Data should be gathered from electronic medical records, genetics, longitudinally measured phenotypes and analytes from blood, urine, stool, and ideally cerebrospinal fluid. Despite the enormous difficulty, without a serious attempt at a fresh start psychiatric research and practice will remain, to its detriment, shackled to the iron bed of Procrustes.

Seminar on Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Genetics

Monday, February 13, 2023 •  12:00 pm – 1:00pm

To register and receive the Zoom link, please email Alfa Garcia