Because of the interdisciplinary nature of such projects, collaborative studies are encouraged. Studies using invertebrate or vertebrate animal models are appropriate if they directly promote the identification of human disease susceptibility genes.
Genetic factors contribute to a broad spectrum of neurological and neurobehavioral diseases.
For these disorders, familial inheritance patterns follow the rules of Mendelian segregation. Such disorders may be caused by multiple genes or by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The wealth of genomic information becoming available through the Human Genome Project will provide an increasingly powerful tool for gene discovery. Once disease susceptibility genes are identified, it will be possible to study gene function, investigate disease pathophysiology, and explore strategies for therapeutic intervention. Gene identification will also provide a basis for genetic counseling and improved diagnostic classification.