Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza, MD, PhD
she/her/hers
Associate Research Scientist of PsychiatryDownloadHi-Res Photo
About
Copy Link
Titles
Associate Research Scientist of Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. Cabrera-Mendoza joined Dr. Renato Polimanti's group in 2021. She completed her MD and PhD in the National Autonomous University of Mexico as part of the Plan of Combined Studies in Medicine (PECEM by its acronym in Spanish). Her current research focus on genomic changes associated with suicidal behavior and substance use disorders.
Last Updated on July 29, 2025.
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- National Autonomous University of Mexico (2020)
- MD
- National Autonomous University of Mexico (2017)
Research
Copy Link
Overview
Medical Research Interests
Genetics; Genomics; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicide
ORCID
0000-0003-4729-9997
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Brenda Cabrera-Mendoza is interested in exploring.
Renato Polimanti, PhD, MSc
Joel Gelernter, MD
Jun He, PhD, MPH
John Krystal, MD
Daniel Tylee, MD, PhD
Janitza Montalvo-Ortiz, PhD
63Publications
549Citations
Substance-Related Disorders
Suicide
Publications
Featured Publications
The landscape of suicide risk factors in Latin America
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Fries G, Polimanti R, Consortium S. The landscape of suicide risk factors in Latin America. Psychiatry Research 2025, 351: 116597. PMID: 40674133, DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116597.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsCitationsAltmetricConceptsLatin AmericaMental health care accessSocial determinants of suicideDevelopment of tailored interventionsCare-seeking behaviorHealth care accessSuicide ratesRisk factorsSuicide prevention strategiesTraditional gender normsMiddle-income countriesReduce suicide ratesCare accessSocial determinantsSuicide risk factorsTailored interventionsDeterminants of suicideImpact of religiosityGender normsFamily tiesLatin American populationsPrevention strategiesSignificant disparitiesSociocultural factorsLatinThe impact of assortative mating, participation bias and socioeconomic status on the polygenic risk of behavioural and psychiatric traits
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Wendt F, Pathak G, Yengo L, Polimanti R. The impact of assortative mating, participation bias and socioeconomic status on the polygenic risk of behavioural and psychiatric traits. Nature Human Behaviour 2024, 8: 976-987. PMID: 38366106, PMCID: PMC11161911, DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01828-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSocioeconomic statusParticipation biasPsychiatric traitsPolygenic riskFrequency of drinking alcoholDepressive disorderTourette syndromeImpact of assortative matingAlcohol-related traitsAlcohol use disorderAlcohol-related phenotypesInvestigate assortative matingSocioeconomic status conditionsHabitual alcohol intakeAssortative matingAlcohol intakeDrinking alcoholBipolar disorderQuestionnaire respondentsUse disorderMeta-analysisParticipantsGametic phase disequilibriumDisordersTouretteWithin subject cross‐tissue analyzes of epigenetic clocks in substance use disorder postmortem brain and blood
Cabrera‐Mendoza B, Stertz L, Najera K, Selvaraj S, Teixeira A, Meyer T, Fries G, Walss‐Bass C. Within subject cross‐tissue analyzes of epigenetic clocks in substance use disorder postmortem brain and blood. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics 2022, 192: 13-27. PMID: 36056652, PMCID: PMC9742183, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32920.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSubstance use disordersStimulant use disorderUse disordersPostmortem brainsAlcohol use disorderBrains of individualsBlood tissueBiological agingSubgroup analysisBrain valuesEpigenetic clocksSUD groupPeripheral measuresAging StudyDisordersBrainPatientsBloodDNA methylation changesSame individualTissueIndividualsMethylation changesOpioidsTissue specificityEstimating the direct effects of the genetic liabilities to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and behavioral traits on suicide attempt using a multivariable Mendelian randomization approach
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Aydin N, Fries G, Docherty A, Walss-Bass C, Polimanti R. Estimating the direct effects of the genetic liabilities to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and behavioral traits on suicide attempt using a multivariable Mendelian randomization approach. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024, 49: 1383-1391. PMID: 38396255, PMCID: PMC11250798, DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01833-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsAssociated with higher oddsPsychiatric Genomics ConsortiumSubstance use disordersSocioeconomic factorsMendelian randomizationBipolar disorderGenetic liabilitySuicide attemptsHigher oddsTwo-sample Mendelian randomizationGenetic liability to bipolar disorderEffects of mental distressUK Biobank (UKBLiability to bipolar disorderMultivariable MR approachMendelian randomization approachComprehensive mental health assessmentGenome-wide association dataRisk of psychiatric disordersMental health assessmentBehavioral traitsAssociated with lonelinessHigh-risk individualsMental distressContext of SAThe association of obesity-related traits on COVID-19 severity and hospitalization is affected by socio-economic status: a multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Wendt FR, Pathak GA, De Angelis F, De Lillo A, Koller D, Polimanti R. The association of obesity-related traits on COVID-19 severity and hospitalization is affected by socio-economic status: a multivariable Mendelian randomization study. International Journal Of Epidemiology 2022, 51: 1371-1383. PMID: 35751636, PMCID: PMC9278255, DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac129.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSevere respiratory COVID-19COVID-19 severityCOVID-19 outcomesSocio-economic statusMendelian randomization studyObesity-related traitsLower oddsCOVID-19Randomization studyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severityBody mass indexWaist-hip ratioCOVID-19 infectionTwo-sample MR approachAssociation of incomeMultivariable Mendelian randomization studyEquitable Collaboration Between LMIC and HIC Researchers, Part I: A Preliminary Framework for Capacity Building in Psychiatric Genetics Research
Cabrera‐Mendoza B, Burmeister M, Rietschel M, Crepaz‐Keay D, Balhara Y, Seedat S, Marshe V, Hemmings S, Peterson R, Kaushik R, Viswanath B, Sud R, Haldar P, Johnstone M, Cherian A, Lencz T, Zinkstok J, Polimanti R, Mueller D, Lázaro‐Muñoz G, Liu C, John N, Nicolini H, Walss‐Bass C, Santoro M, Satapathy S, Behera C, Docherty A. Equitable Collaboration Between LMIC and HIC Researchers, Part I: A Preliminary Framework for Capacity Building in Psychiatric Genetics Research. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics 2025, 198: 154-167. PMID: 40635475, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.33042.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsHigh-income countriesPsychiatric genetic researchPsychiatric geneticsGlobal mental healthComprehensive stakeholder engagementMiddle-income countriesMental healthLMIC researchersLMICsResearch partnershipsEquitable collaborationGlobal healthPublic healthHealthCapacity buildingStakeholder engagementPsychiatric researchPartnershipGenetic researchConsensus reportResearch resourcesCollaborationCollaborative processCollaborative researchInternational collaborationSex differences in brain gene expression among suicide completers
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Fresno C, Monroy-Jaramillo N, Fries GR, Walss-Bass C, Glahn DC, Ostrosky-Wegman P, Mendoza-Morales RC, García-Dolores F, Díaz-Otañez CE, González-Sáenz EE, Genis-Mendoza AD, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Romero-Pimentel AL, Flores G, Vázquez-Roque RA, Nicolini H. Sex differences in brain gene expression among suicide completers. Journal Of Affective Disorders 2020, 267: 67-77. PMID: 32063575, DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.167.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsBrain gene expressionSex-specific gene expression patternsGene expressionRibonucleic protein complexesGene expression patternsGene expression profilesProtein complexesGene setsDNA bindingExpression patternsExpression profilesGenesSuicide geneBiological levelsVesicular functionCell proliferationValuable foundationDifferentiallyMicroarrayExpressionSex-specific factorsSuicide completersSuicidal brainImmune responseSex differencesCandidate pharmacological treatments for substance use disorder and suicide identified by gene co‐expression network‐based drug repositioning
Cabrera‐Mendoza B, Martínez‐Magaña J, Monroy‐Jaramillo N, Genis‐Mendoza A, Fresno C, Fries GR, Walss‐Bass C, Armenta M, García‐Dolores F, Díaz‐Otañez C, Flores G, Vázquez‐Roque R, Nicolini H. Candidate pharmacological treatments for substance use disorder and suicide identified by gene co‐expression network‐based drug repositioning. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part B Neuropsychiatric Genetics 2021, 186: 193-206. PMID: 33403748, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32830.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSubstance use disordersUse disordersBrain gene co-expression networksHub genesPotential pharmacological targetPost-mortem samplesPharmacological treatmentHigh riskCandidate treatmentPharmacological targetsSuicidal behaviorMAOA inhibitorsPrefrontal cortexNonsuicidesDGIdb databaseGene expression profilesPatientsCo-expression networkSuicideDisordersDrugsTreatmentDrug repositioningExpression profilesIndividualsHigh polygenic burden is associated with blood DNA methylation changes in individuals with suicidal behavior
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Martínez-Magaña JJ, Genis-Mendoza AD, Sarmiento E, Ruíz-Ramos D, Tovilla-Zárate CA, González-Castro TB, Juárez-Rojop IE, García-de la Cruz DD, López-Armenta M, Real F, García-Dolores F, Flores G, Vázquez-Roque RA, Lanzagorta N, Escamilla M, Saucedo-Uribe E, Rodríguez-Mayoral O, Jiménez-Genchi J, Castañeda-González C, Roche-Bergua A, Nicolini H. High polygenic burden is associated with blood DNA methylation changes in individuals with suicidal behavior. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2020, 123: 62-71. PMID: 32036075, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDNA methylation differencesMethylation differencesDiscovery samplePolygenic risk scoresDNA methylation changesSuicidal behaviorGenetic burdenPolygenic burdenPsychiatric Genomics ConsortiumEpigenetic variationATP bindingDNA methylationEnvironmental factorsMethylation changesEpigenetic changesGenomics ConsortiumPolygenic componentGenesGenetic variantsPRS analysesRisk scoreMexican individualsBurdenIntegration of approachesNeurodevelopmentBrain Gene Expression-DNA Methylation Correlation in Suicide Completers: Preliminary Results
Cabrera-Mendoza B, Martínez-Magaña J, Genis-Mendoza A, Monroy-Jaramillo N, Walss-Bass C, Fries G, García-Dolores F, López-Armenta M, Flores G, Vázquez-Roque R, Nicolini H. Brain Gene Expression-DNA Methylation Correlation in Suicide Completers: Preliminary Results. Revista De Investigación Clínica 2021, 72 DOI: 10.24875/ric.19003250.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetric
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Copy Link
Activities
activity International Behavioral Neuroscience Society
05/04/2021 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsMemberactivity International Academy of Suicide Research
09/10/2021 - PresentPublic ServiceMemberDetailsJunior Memberactivity International Society of Psychiatric Genetics, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action (IDEA) Committee
2022 - PresentCommitteesMemberactivity American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology Inclusivity Committee
06/01/2023 - PresentCommitteesMemberactivity Suicide Working Group - Latin American Genomics Consortium
09/29/2023 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsCo-Chair
Honors
honor NIDA-NIAAA Early Career Investigator Award
11/14/2025National AwardNIAAADetailsUnited Stateshonor Past Travel Awardee Progress Funding
07/11/2025National AwardAmerican College of NeuropsychopharmacologyDetailsUnited Stateshonor SEE-Diversity to Success Workshop Scholarship
06/05/2025National AwardAmerican Psychological FoundationDetailsUnited Stateshonor MQ US Fellows Grant
05/09/2025International AwardMQ: Mental Health ResearchDetailsUnited Kingdomhonor Tony Massini Postdoctoral Fellowship in Data Science
12/03/2024Yale University AwardDetailsUnited States
News & Links
Copy Link
News
- May 12, 2025
Cabrera-Mendoza Awarded MQ Mental Health Research Grant
- September 19, 2024
Yale Scientists Uncover Genetic Predisposition to Anxiety
- September 22, 2023Source: Psychological Medicine
In Study of Veterans, Positive Personality Traits Moderate Persistent High Alcohol Consumption
- May 11, 2023
Yale-led Study Pinpoints Why Some Adults Develop Hearing Problems
Related Links
Get In Touch
Copy Link