Ethics review of multicenter neuro-psychiatric & neurodevelopmental genetics research protocols: a case study of the NeuroDev & NeuroGap-Psychosis studies

Complex research such as neuropsychiatric genetics presents unique challenges for ethics committees (REC), particularly in Africa where on mental & neurological disorders is still its infancy. To reflect these experiences of reviewing Neuropsychiatric Genetic studies we use two multicenter studies, the NeuroDev and NeuroGap-Psychosis studies. We explored content national guidelines regulatory frameworks processes review participating African countries, to identify challenges, recommend areas improvement. also held reflective discussions with REC members involved were interviewed discussing their from point view an REC/REC member who reviewed Across all sites, a distinct theme was that RECs did not have adequate knowledge expertise genomics general. The showed need proactively update meet increasing complexity research, ensure awareness creation, continual capacity building members.