EDGE Lab : University of Sussex

Environment, Development,

Genetics & Epigenetics

in Mental Health Lab

At EDGE Lab, we investigate environmental, developmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors, and their interplay, in mental health. Specifically, our research focuses on vulnerability and resilience pathways and mechanisms for common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Moreover, we explore the link between mental health and cognitive and physical health and ageing. Our research is truly interdisciplinary; we use prospective longitudinal, cross-cultural, and genetically informative approaches to get insights into determinants and consequences of mental health problems across the life course, generations and cultures.

Research Themes

Risk and Resilience

Biomarkers and Endophenotypes

Health and Ageing

HIGHLIGHTS

Our latest research on mental health across the life course:

John, Amber, Desai, Roopal, Saunders, Rob, Buckman, Joshua E J, Brown, Barbara, Nurock, Shirley, Michael, Stewart, Ware, Paul, Marchant, Natalie L, Aguirre, Elisa, Rio, Miguel, Cooper, Claudia, Pilling, Stephen, Richards, Marcus, Gaysina, Darya and Stott, Josh (2022) Salivary cortisol in longitudinal associations between affective symptoms and midlife cognitive function: a British birth cohort study. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 151. pp. 217-224. ISSN 0022-3956

Thompson, Ellen J, Ploubidis, George B, Richards, Marcus and Gaysina, Darya (2022) Life course trajectories of affective symptoms and their early life predictors. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 13 (3). pp. 412-431. ISSN 1757-9597 Item availability may be restricted.

Our new publications on genetics and mental health:

Gaysina, D, Thompson E. (2022). Twin Methodology in Psychological Studies. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Oxford University Press. doi: acrefore-9780190236557-e-85

Gaysina D. Chapter Two: Behavioral Genetics. In Peter K. Smith and Craig H. Hart (Eds.) The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development (Third Edition), John Wiley & Sons 2022; 43-60. ISBN 9781119678984

Our books:

Malykh S, Kovas Y, and Gaysina D. (Eds.) Behavioural Genetics for Education. Palgrave Macmillan, 2016: ISBN 9781137437310. Available online.

Oblozhka Malykh, S.B., Kovas, Y., Gaysina, D.A. (Eds) (2016). Behavioural Genomics: Child Development and Education. Publishing House of Tomsk State University, Tomsk. 442 pages. ISBN 978-5-94621-585-5 [pdf]

EDGE Lab