Rutgers University's Cell and DNA Repository is planning to start studying stem cells from people with mental illnesses.

The university announced Friday that it had received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health.  The university says it will use the funding for research on cells taken from people with mental health disorders such as major depression, attention deficit disorder and autism.

Using a new method, the stems cells can be taken from the skin of adults.  Rutgers already has the world's largest repository of stem cell lines.

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