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Dennison CA, Shakeshaft A, Eyre O, Tilling K, Rice F, Thapar A. Investigating the neurodevelopmental correlates of early adolescent-onset emotional problems. J Affect Disord 2024; 364:212-220. [PMID: 39134151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emotional problems (EPs) increase sharply after mid-adolescence. Earlier EPs are associated with poorer long-term outcomes, and their underlying mechanisms may differ to later-onset EPs. Given an established relationship between ADHD, autism, and later depression, we aimed to examine associations between neurodevelopmental conditions and correlates and early adolescent-onset EPs. METHODS Adolescents in two UK population cohorts, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), were included. Individuals scoring >6 on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional problems subscale between ages 11-14 were defined as having early adolescent-onset EP, whilst those scoring >6 for the first time at 16-25 were defined as having later-onset EP. We tested associations between early adolescent-onset EP (total cases = 887, controls = 19,582) and ICD-10/DSM-5 neurodevelopmental conditions and known correlates, including: sex, birth complications, low cognitive ability, special educational needs (SEND), and epilepsy. Analyses were conducted separately in ALSPAC and MCS then meta-analysed. RESULTS In the meta-analysis of both cohorts, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with female sex and greater likelihood of low cognitive ability, SEND, autism, ADHD, and reading difficulties. Compared to later-onset EP, early adolescent-onset EPs were associated with male sex, low cognitive ability, SEND, epilepsy, ASD, ADHD, and reading difficulties. LIMITATIONS A clinical definition of depression/anxiety was available only in ALSPAC, instead we primarily defined EP via questionnaires, which capture a broader phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with early adolescent-onset EP are likely to have a co-occurring neurodevelopmental condition. Clinicians should consider assessing for neurodevelopmental conditions in young adolescents with EPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte A Dennison
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK; Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Amy Shakeshaft
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK; Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Olga Eyre
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK; Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol University, UK
| | - Frances Rice
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK; Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Cardiff University, UK; Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK.
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2
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Shakeshaft A, Martin J, Dennison CA, Riglin L, Lewis CM, O'Donovan MC, Thapar A. Estimating the impact of transmitted and non-transmitted psychiatric and neurodevelopmental polygenic scores on youth emotional problems. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:238-246. [PMID: 37990052 PMCID: PMC11116100 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02319-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety and depression (emotional disorders) are familial and heritable, especially when onset is early. However, other cross-generational studies suggest transmission of youth emotional problems is explained by mainly environmental risks. We set out to test the contribution of parental non-transmitted genetic liability, as indexed by psychiatric/neurodevelopmental common polygenic liability, to youth emotional problems using a UK population-based cohort: the Millennium Cohort Study. European (N = 6328) and South Asian (N = 814) ancestries were included, as well as a subset with genomic data from both parents (European: N = 2809; South Asian: N = 254). We examined the association of transmitted (PGST) and non-transmitted polygenic scores (PGSNT) for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], autism spectrum disorder [ASD], schizophrenia) with youth emotional disorder and symptom scores, measured using the parent- and self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire emotional subscale at 6 timepoints between ages 3-17 years. In the European sample, PGST for anxiety and depression, but not bipolar disorder, were associated with emotional disorder and symptom scores across all ages, except age 3, with strongest association in adolescence. ADHD and ASD PGST also showed association across ages 11-17 years. In the South Asian sample, evidence for associations between all PGST and outcome measures were weaker. There was weak evidence of association between PGSNT for anxiety and depression and age 17 symptom scores in the South Asian sample, but not in the European sample for any outcome. Overall, PGST for depression, anxiety, ADHD and ASD contributed to youth emotional problems, with stronger associations in adolescence. There was limited support for non-transmitted genetic effects: these findings do not support the hypothesis that parental polygenic psychiatric/neurodevelopmental liability confer risk to offspring emotional problems through non-transmitted rearing/nurture effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shakeshaft
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Joanna Martin
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Charlotte A Dennison
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lucy Riglin
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cathryn M Lewis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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3
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Combined effects of nitric oxide synthase 3 genetic variant and childhood emotional abuse on earlier onset of suicidal behaviours. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 119:110617. [PMID: 35988847 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Marked heterogeneity in suicide attempters has been observed, with earlier onset being linked to stronger heritability, more childhood maltreatment. Nitric oxide signalling system might be implicated in this relationship through its role in the stress response/adaptation. This study examined how NOS genetic variants and childhood maltreatment were associated with age at first suicide attempt (SA). Adult patients with SA history (N = 414) filled in the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and six functionally relevant NOS2 and NOS3 polymorphisms were genotyped. Analyses included χ2, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kendall's regression, multivariate linear and Cox survival regressions, and a moderation analysis. The NOS3 promotor 27-bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) bb homozygous state and childhood emotional abuse were independently associated with earlier age at first SA, which was robust after controlling for confounders [regression coefficient - 3.975, 95% CI -6.980 - (-0.970), p = 0.010, and - 1.088, 95% CI -2.172 - (-0.004), p = 0.049]. No interaction was observed. In the Cox proportional hazards model for age at first SA, the hazard ratio for patients with childhood emotional abuse and NOS3 27-bp VNTR bb was 0.533 (95% CI 0.394-0.720, p < 0.001) compared to patients without. Intermediate scores were observed with either only the risk genotype or only childhood emotional abuse. A graded relationship was also observed for repeated SA, family history of SA, and severe SA history. These results are preliminary due to a low statistical power and call for replication and further characterization of the role of nitric oxide system in the susceptibility to early-onset SB.
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Akingbuwa WA, Hammerschlag AR, Bartels M, Middeldorp CM. Systematic Review: Molecular Studies of Common Genetic Variation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 61:227-242. [PMID: 33932494 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2021.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A systematic review of studies using molecular genetics and statistical approaches to investigate the role of common genetic variation in the development, persistence, and comorbidity of childhood psychiatric traits was conducted. METHOD A literature review was performed using the PubMed database, following PRISMA guidelines. There were 131 studies meeting inclusion criteria, having investigated at least one type of childhood-onset or childhood-measured psychiatric disorder or trait with the aim of identifying trait-associated common genetic variants, estimating the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the amount of variance explained (SNP-based heritability), investigating genetic overlap between psychiatric traits, or investigating whether the stability in traits or the association with adult traits is explained by genetic factors. RESULTS The first robustly associated genetic variants have started to be identified for childhood psychiatric traits. There were substantial contributions of common genetic variants to many traits, with variation in single nucleotide polymorphism heritability estimates depending on age and raters. Moreover, genetic variants also appeared to explain comorbidity as well as stability across a range of psychiatric traits in childhood and across the life span. CONCLUSION Common genetic variation plays a substantial role in childhood psychiatric traits. Increased sample sizes will lead to increased power to identify genetic variants and to understand genetic architecture, which will ultimately be beneficial to targeted and prevention strategies. This can be achieved by harmonizing phenotype measurements, as is already proposed by large international consortia and by including the collection of genetic material in every study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonuola A Akingbuwa
- Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Profs. Bartels and Middeldorp are with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Prof. Bartels are also with Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Anke R Hammerschlag
- Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Profs. Bartels and Middeldorp are with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Prof. Bartels are also with Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Hammerschlag and Prof. Middeldorp are also with the Child Health Research Centre, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Meike Bartels
- Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Profs. Bartels and Middeldorp are with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Prof. Bartels are also with Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christel M Middeldorp
- Ms. Akingbuwa, Dr. Hammerschlag, and Profs. Bartels and Middeldorp are with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Hammerschlag and Prof. Middeldorp are also with the Child Health Research Centre, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Prof. Middeldorp is also with the Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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5
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Martinez-Levy GA, Campos AI, Rabinowitz JA, García-Marín LM, Benjet C, Méndez E, Rentería ME, Cruz-Fuentes CS. Suicidal ideation and planning among Mexican adolescents are associated with depression polygenic risk scores. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 2021; 186:476-484. [PMID: 34173322 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is a major public health problem in Mexico and around the world. Genetic predisposition for major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with increased risk for suicidal behaviors (SB) in populations of European ancestry (EA). Here, we examine whether MDD polygenic risk scores (MDD PRS), derived from a genome-wide association study involving EA individuals, predict SB, including ideation, planning, and attempt, among Mexican youth using a longitudinal design. At baseline, participants (N = 1,128, 12-17 years, 55% women) were interviewed and genotyped as part of a general population survey on adolescent mental health. Eight years later, they were recontacted for a follow up visit (N = 437, 20-25 years, 63% women). At both assessments, individuals reported on their engagement in SB within the past year. MDD PRS were significantly positively associated with SB, particularly suicide ideation and planning during adolescence, accounting for ~4-5% of the variance in these outcomes. In contrast, associations between MDD PRS and SB during young adulthood did not reach statistical significance. Our results suggest that increased genetic liability for depression increased risk for SB, particularly during adolescence, expanding our knowledge of the genetic underpinnings of SB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela A Martinez-Levy
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adrian I Campos
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jill A Rabinowitz
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luis M García-Marín
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Corina Benjet
- Dirección de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas y Psicosociales, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Méndez
- Dirección de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas y Psicosociales, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel E Rentería
- Department of Genetics and Computational Biology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos S Cruz-Fuentes
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñíz", Mexico City, Mexico
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Ask H, Eilertsen EM, Gjerde LC, Hannigan LJ, Gustavson K, Havdahl A, Cheesman R, McAdams TA, Hettema JM, Reichborn‐Kjennerud T, Torvik FA, Ystrom E. Intergenerational transmission of parental neuroticism to emotional problems in 8-year-old children: Genetic and environmental influences. JCPP ADVANCES 2021; 1:e12054. [PMID: 37431400 PMCID: PMC10242898 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 09/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Children of parents with high levels of neuroticism tend to have high neuroticism themselves as well as increased risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is not yet clear how much of this link is attributable to a potential effect of parent on child (e.g., via a socializing effect) versus to shared genetic risk. We aimed to determine whether there is an intergenerational association after accounting for genetic transmission and assortative mating. Methods We used data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study including 11,088 sibling pairs in the parental generation, their partners (N = 22,176) and their offspring (N = 26,091). Exposures were maternal and paternal neuroticism (self-reported), and the outcomes were neuroticism, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of anxiety in 8-year-old children (mother-reported). Results After accounting for assortative mating in parents (phenotypic r = 0.26) and genetic transmission (explaining 0%-18% of the mother-offspring correlations), potential maternal effects explained 80% (95% CI = 47-95) of the association with offspring neuroticism (mother-child r = 0.31), 78% (95% CI = 66-89) of the association with offspring depressive symptoms (r = 0.31), and 98% (95% CI = 45-112) of the association with offspring anxiety symptoms (r = 0.16). Intergenerational transmission of genetic variants associated with paternal neuroticism accounted for ∼40% (CI = 22%-58%) of the father-offspring correlations with neuroticism and symptoms of depression (r = 0.13 and 0.13, respectively) but none with offspring symptoms of anxiety (r = 0.05). The remaining father-offspring correlations were explained by maternal influences through assortative mating. Conclusions These results are consistent with direct effects between maternal and offspring neuroticism and between maternal neuroticism and offspring symptoms of anxiety and depression. Further understanding of these intergenerational processes will require an adequate model of how these constructs (neuroticism, anxiety and depression) relate to each other within generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helga Ask
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
| | | | - Line C. Gjerde
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- PROMENTA Research CenterUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | | | - Kristin Gustavson
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- PROMENTA Research CenterUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- PROMENTA Research CenterUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Nic Waals InstituteLovisenberg Diaconal HospitalOsloNorway
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology UnitUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | - Rosa Cheesman
- Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry CentreKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Tom A. McAdams
- PROMENTA Research CenterUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry CentreKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Ted Reichborn‐Kjennerud
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Fartein A. Torvik
- Centre for Fertility and HealthNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Eivind Ystrom
- Department of Mental DisordersNorwegian Institute of Public HealthOsloNorway
- PROMENTA Research CenterUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- School of PharmacyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
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Kwong ASF, Morris TT, Pearson RM, Timpson NJ, Rice F, Stergiakouli E, Tilling K. Polygenic risk for depression, anxiety and neuroticism are associated with the severity and rate of change in depressive symptoms across adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021; 62:1462-1474. [PMID: 33778956 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescence marks a period where depression will commonly onset. Twin studies show that genetic influences play a role in how depression develops and changes across adolescence. Recent genome-wide association studies highlight that common genetic variants - which can be combined into polygenic risk scores (PRS) - are also implicated in depression. However, the role of PRS in adolescent depression and changes in adolescent depression is not yet understood. We aimed to examine associations between PRS for five psychiatric traits and depressive symptoms measured across adolescence using cross-sectional and growth-curve models. The five PRS were as follows: depression (DEP), major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety (ANX), neuroticism (NEU) and schizophrenia (SCZ). METHODS We used data from over 6,000 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to examine associations between the five PRS and self-reported depressive symptoms (Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire) over 9 occasions from 10 to 24 years. The PRS were created from well-powered genome-wide association studies conducted in adult populations. We examined cross-sectional associations between the PRS at each age and then again with longitudinal trajectories of depressive symptoms in a repeated measures framework using multilevel growth-curve analysis to examine the severity and the rate of change. RESULTS There was strong evidence that higher PRS for DEP, MDD and NEU were associated with worse depressive symptoms throughout adolescence and into young adulthood in our cross-sectional analysis, with consistent associations observed across all nine occasions. Growth-curve analyses provided stronger associations (as measured by effect sizes) and additional insights, demonstrating that individuals with higher PRS for DEP, MDD and NEU had steeper trajectories of depressive symptoms across development, all with a greater increasing rate of change during adolescence. Evidence was less consistent for the ANX and SCZ PRS in the cross-sectional analysis, yet there was some evidence for an increasing rate of change in adolescence in the growth-curve analyses with the ANX PRS. CONCLUSIONS These results show that common genetic variants as indexed by varying psychiatric PRS show patterns of specificity that influence both the severity and rate of change in depressive symptoms throughout adolescence and then into young adulthood. Longitudinal data that make use of repeated measures designs have the potential to provide greater insights how genetic factors influence the onset and persistence of adolescent depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S F Kwong
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tim T Morris
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Rebecca M Pearson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Frances Rice
- Division of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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8
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Jalbrzikowski M. Polygenic Scores for Psychiatric Disorders: One Important Piece of the Risk Prediction Puzzle. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:e41-e42. [PMID: 34620379 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jalbrzikowski
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Hannigan LJ, Askeland RB, Ask H, Tesli M, Corfield E, Ayorech Z, Helgeland Ø, Magnus P, Njølstad PR, Øyen AS, Stoltenberg C, Andreassen OA, Davey Smith G, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Havdahl A. Genetic Liability for Schizophrenia and Childhood Psychopathology in the General Population. Schizophr Bull 2021; 47:1179-1189. [PMID: 33561255 PMCID: PMC8266611 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Genetic liability for schizophrenia is associated with psychopathology in early life. It is not clear if these associations are time dependent during childhood, nor if they are specific across different forms of psychopathology. Using genotype and questionnaire data on children (N = 15 105) from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study, we used schizophrenia polygenic risk scores to test developmental stability in associations with measures of emotional and behavioral problems between 18 months and 5 years, and domain specificity in associations with symptoms of depression, anxiety, conduct problems, oppositionality, inattention, and hyperactivity at 8 years. We then sought to identify symptom profiles-across development and domains-associated with schizophrenia polygenic liability. We found evidence for developmental stability in associations between schizophrenia polygenic risk scores and emotional and behavioral problems, with the latter being mediated specifically via the rate of change in symptoms (β slope = 0.032; 95% CI: 0.007-0.057). At age 8, associations were better explained by a model of symptom-specific polygenic effects rather than effects mediated via a general psychopathology factor or by domain-specific factors. Overall, individuals with higher schizophrenia polygenic risk scores were more likely (OR = 1.310 [95% CIs: 1.122-1.528]) to have a profile of increasing behavioral and emotional symptoms in early childhood, followed by elevated symptoms of conduct disorder, oppositionality, hyperactivity, and inattention by age 8. Schizophrenia-associated alleles are linked to specific patterns of early-life psychopathology. The associations are small, but findings of this nature can help us better understand the developmental emergence of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J Hannigan
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; e-mail:
| | - Ragna Bugge Askeland
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helga Ask
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Tesli
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,NORMENT Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth Corfield
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ziada Ayorech
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Øyvind Helgeland
- KG Jebsen Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway,Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Health Data and Digitalisation, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Rasmus Njølstad
- KG Jebsen Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Anne-Siri Øyen
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camilla Stoltenberg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK,Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway,Promenta Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Thapar A, Riglin L. The importance of a developmental perspective in Psychiatry: what do recent genetic-epidemiological findings show? Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:1631-1639. [PMID: 31959848 PMCID: PMC7387296 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0648-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is growing appreciation that a developmental perspective is helpful in Psychiatry. However, clinical practice and research, especially in an era of very large sample sizes, often ignore the developmental context. In this perspective piece, we discuss why a developmental view is important in Psychiatry and how recent genetic-epidemiological findings further highlight this. DSM-5 childhood neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, typically onset in early childhood but can persist into adult life; the same ADHD genetic loading appears to contribute across the life course. However, recent longitudinal studies have observed that ADHD symptoms may emerge later during adolescence and adult life in some individuals although the etiology of this late-onset group is unclear. The epidemiology and genetics of depression do not appear to be the same in childhood, adolescence, and adult life. Recent genetic findings further highlight this. Autistic type problems and irritability also appear to show developmental variation in their genetic etiology. These findings raise the question of whether social communication and irritability have the same meaning at different ages. Schizophrenia typically onsets after adolescence. However, it is commonly preceded by childhood antecedents that do not resemble schizophrenia itself but do appear to index schizophrenia genetic liability. We conclude that there is a need for clinicians and scientists to adopt a developmental perspective in clinical practice and research by considering age-at-onset and changes over time as well as different developmental periods when interpreting clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Thapar
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Lucy Riglin
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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11
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Akingbuwa WA, Hammerschlag AR, Jami ES, Allegrini AG, Karhunen V, Sallis H, Ask H, Askeland RB, Baselmans B, Diemer E, Hagenbeek FA, Havdahl A, Hottenga JJ, Mbarek H, Rivadeneira F, Tesli M, van Beijsterveldt C, Breen G, Lewis CM, Thapar A, Boomsma DI, Kuja-Halkola R, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Magnus P, Rimfeld K, Ystrom EIVIND, Jarvelin MR, Lichtenstein P, Lundstrom S, Munafò MR, Plomin R, Tiemeier H, Nivard MG, Bartels M, Middeldorp CM. Genetic Associations Between Childhood Psychopathology and Adult Depression and Associated Traits in 42 998 Individuals: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Psychiatry 2020; 77:715-728. [PMID: 32293669 PMCID: PMC7160753 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance Adult mood disorders are often preceded by behavioral and emotional problems in childhood. It is yet unclear what explains the associations between childhood psychopathology and adult traits. Objective To investigate whether genetic risk for adult mood disorders and associated traits is associated with childhood disorders. Design, Setting, and Participants This meta-analysis examined data from 7 ongoing longitudinal birth and childhood cohorts from the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Starting points of data collection ranged from July 1985 to April 2002. Participants were repeatedly assessed for childhood psychopathology from ages 6 to 17 years. Data analysis occurred from September 2017 to May 2019. Exposures Individual polygenic scores (PGS) were constructed in children based on genome-wide association studies of adult major depression, bipolar disorder, subjective well-being, neuroticism, insomnia, educational attainment, and body mass index (BMI). Main Outcomes and Measures Regression meta-analyses were used to test associations between PGS and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and internalizing and social problems measured repeatedly across childhood and adolescence and whether these associations depended on childhood phenotype, age, and rater. Results The sample included 42 998 participants aged 6 to 17 years. Male participants varied from 43.0% (1040 of 2417 participants) to 53.1% (2434 of 4583 participants) by age and across all cohorts. The PGS of adult major depression, neuroticism, BMI, and insomnia were positively associated with childhood psychopathology (β estimate range, 0.023-0.042 [95% CI, 0.017-0.049]), while associations with PGS of subjective well-being and educational attainment were negative (β, -0.026 to -0.046 [95% CI, -0.020 to -0.057]). There was no moderation of age, type of childhood phenotype, or rater with the associations. The exceptions were stronger associations between educational attainment PGS and ADHD compared with internalizing problems (Δβ, 0.0561 [Δ95% CI, 0.0318-0.0804]; ΔSE, 0.0124) and social problems (Δβ, 0.0528 [Δ95% CI, 0.0282-0.0775]; ΔSE, 0.0126), and between BMI PGS and ADHD and social problems (Δβ, -0.0001 [Δ95% CI, -0.0102 to 0.0100]; ΔSE, 0.0052), compared with internalizing problems (Δβ, -0.0310 [Δ95% CI, -0.0456 to -0.0164]; ΔSE, 0.0074). Furthermore, the association between educational attainment PGS and ADHD increased with age (Δβ, -0.0032 [Δ 95% CI, -0.0048 to -0.0017]; ΔSE, 0.0008). Conclusions and Relevance Results from this study suggest the existence of a set of genetic factors influencing a range of traits across the life span with stable associations present throughout childhood. Knowledge of underlying mechanisms may affect treatment and long-term outcomes of individuals with psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonuola A. Akingbuwa
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anke R. Hammerschlag
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eshim S. Jami
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea G. Allegrini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ville Karhunen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Sallis
- University of Bristol School of Psychological Science, Bristol, United Kingdom
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Helga Ask
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragna B. Askeland
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bart Baselmans
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth Diemer
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Fiona A. Hagenbeek
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jouke-Jan Hottenga
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hamdi Mbarek
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC, Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus MC, Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Tesli
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, South London and Maudsley National Health Services Foundation Trust, London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathryn M. Lewis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Thapar
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Dorret I. Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ralf Kuja-Halkola
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaili Rimfeld
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - EIVIND Ystrom
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council–Public Health England Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Center for Life Course Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biocenter of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Department of Life Sciences, Brunel University London College of Health and Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Lundstrom
- Centre for Ethics Law and Mental Health, Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- University of Bristol School of Psychological Science, Bristol, United Kingdom
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- National Institute of Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol National Health Services Foundation Trust, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Plomin
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michel G. Nivard
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meike Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Christel M. Middeldorp
- Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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12
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O'Reilly LM, Kuja-Halkola R, Rickert ME, Class QA, Larsson H, Lichtenstein P, D'Onofrio BM. The intergenerational transmission of suicidal behavior: an offspring of siblings study. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:173. [PMID: 32474571 PMCID: PMC7261287 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0850-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the extent to which genetic factors shared across generations, measured covariates, and environmental factors associated with parental suicidal behavior (suicide attempt or suicide) account for the association between parental and offspring suicidal behavior. We used a Swedish cohort of 2,762,883 offspring born 1973-2001. We conducted two sets of analyses with offspring of half- and full-siblings: (1) quantitative behavior genetic models analyzing maternal suicidal behavior and (2) fixed-effects Cox proportional hazard models analyzing maternal and paternal suicidal behavior. The analyses also adjusted for numerous measured covariates (e.g., parental severe mental illness). Quantitative behavior genetic analyses found that 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.29, 53.12%) of the intergenerational association was due to environmental factors associated with exposure to maternal suicidal behavior, with the remainder due to genetic factors. Statistical adjustment for parental behavioral health problems partially attenuated the environmental association; however, the results were no longer statistically significant. Cox hazard models similarly found that offspring were at a 2.74-fold increased risk [95% CI, 2.67, 2.83]) of suicidal behavior if their mothers attempted/died by suicide. After adjustment for familial factors and measured covariates, associations attenuated but remained elevated for offspring of discordant half-siblings (HR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.45, 1.71]) and full-siblings (HR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.57, 1.67]). Cox hazard models demonstrated a similar pattern between paternal and offspring suicidal behavior. This study found that the intergenerational transmission of suicidal behavior is largely due to shared genetic factors, as well as factors associated with parental behavioral health problems and environmental factors associated with parental suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Henrik Larsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Brian M D'Onofrio
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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13
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Riglin L, Thapar AK, Leppert B, Martin J, Richards A, Anney R, Davey Smith G, Tilling K, Stergiakouli E, Lahey BB, O'Donovan MC, Collishaw S, Thapar A. Using Genetics to Examine a General Liability to Childhood Psychopathology. Behav Genet 2019; 50:213-220. [PMID: 31828458 PMCID: PMC7355267 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-019-09985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders show phenotypic as well as genetic overlaps. There are however also marked developmental changes throughout childhood. We investigated the extent to which, for a full range of early childhood psychopathology, a general “p” factor was explained by genetic liability, as indexed by multiple different psychiatric polygenic risk scores (PRS) and whether these relationships altered with age. The sample was a UK, prospective, population-based cohort with psychopathology data at age 7 (N = 8161) and age 13 (N = 7017). PRS were generated from large published genome-wide association studies. At both ages, we found evidence for a childhood “p” factor as well as for specific factors. Schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) PRS were associated with this general “p” factor at both ages but depression and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) PRS were not. We also found some evidence of associations between schizophrenia, ADHD and depression PRS with specific factors, but these were less robust and there was evidence for developmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Riglin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK.
| | - Ajay K Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Beate Leppert
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Joanna Martin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Alexander Richards
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Richard Anney
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | | | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Benjamin B Lahey
- Department of Health Studies and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Stephan Collishaw
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
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14
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Taylor SF, Grove TB, Ellingrod VL, Tso IF. The Fragile Brain: Stress Vulnerability, Negative Affect and GABAergic Neurocircuits in Psychosis. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1170-1183. [PMID: 31150555 PMCID: PMC6811817 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Persons with schizophrenia exhibit sensitivity to stress and negative affect (NA), both strongly correlated with poor functional outcome. This theoretical review suggests that NA reflects a "fragile brain," ie, vulnerable to stress, including events not experienced as stressful by healthy individuals. Based on postmortem evidence of altered gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function in parvalbumin positive interneurons (PVI), animal models of PVI abnormalities and neuroimaging data with GABAergic challenge, it is suggested that GABAergic disruptions weaken cortical regions, which leads to stress vulnerability and excessive NA. Neurocircuits that respond to stressful and salient environmental stimuli, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the amygdala, are highly dysregulated in schizophrenia, exhibiting hypo- and hyper-activity. PVI abnormalities in lateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus have been hypothesized to affect cognitive function and positive symptoms, respectively; in the medial frontal cortex (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex), these abnormalities may lead to vulnerability to stress, NA and dysregulation of stress responsive systems. Given that postmortem PVI disruptions have been identified in other conditions, such as bipolar disorder and autism, stress vulnerability may reflect a transdiagnostic dimension of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan F Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 734-936-4955, fax: 734-936-7868, e-mail:
| | - Tyler B Grove
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI
| | | | - Ivy F Tso
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Rachel Upjohn Building, Ann Arbor, MI
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15
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Christiani CJ, Jepsen JRM, Thorup A, Hemager N, Ellersgaard D, Spang KS, Burton BK, Gregersen M, Søndergaard A, Greve AN, Gantriis DL, Poulsen G, Uddin MJ, Seidman LJ, Mors O, Plessen KJ, Nordentoft M. Social Cognition, Language, and Social Behavior in 7-Year-Old Children at Familial High-Risk of Developing Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder: The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7-A Population-Based Cohort Study. Schizophr Bull 2019; 45:1218-1230. [PMID: 30852621 PMCID: PMC6811824 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize social cognition, language, and social behavior as potentially shared vulnerability markers in children at familial high-risk of schizophrenia (FHR-SZ) and bipolar disorder (FHR-BP). METHODS The Danish High-Risk and Resilience Study VIA7 is a multisite population-based cohort of 522 7-year-old children extracted from the Danish registries. The population-based controls were matched to the FHR-SZ children on age, sex, and municipality. The FHR-BP group followed same inclusion criteria. Data were collected blinded to familial high-risk status. Outcomes were social cognition, language, and social behavior. RESULTS The analysis included 202 FHR-SZ children (girls: 46%), 120 FHR-BP children (girls: 46.7%), and 200 controls (girls: 46.5%). FHR-SZ children displayed significant deficits in language (receptive: d = -0.27, P = .006; pragmatic: d = -0.51, P < .001), social responsiveness (d = -0.54, P < .001), and adaptive social functioning (d = -0.47, P < .001) compared to controls after Bonferroni correction. Compared to FHR-BP children, FHR-SZ children performed significantly poorer on adaptive social functioning (d = -0.29, P = .007) after Bonferroni correction. FHR-BP and FHR-SZ children showed no significant social cognitive impairments compared to controls after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSION Language, social responsiveness, and adaptive social functioning deficits seem associated with FHR-SZ but not FHR-BP in this developmental phase. The pattern of results suggests adaptive social functioning impairments may not be shared between FHR-BP and FHR-SZ in this developmental phase and thus not reflective of the shared risk factors for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Jerlang Christiani
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Research Unit, The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study VIA 7; Kildegaardsvej 28, 15., 1., 2900 Hellerup, Denmark; tel: +4520220285; e-mail:
| | - Jens R M Jepsen
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Thorup
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
| | - Nicoline Hemager
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ditte Ellersgaard
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
| | - Katrine S Spang
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte K Burton
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maja Gregersen
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
| | - Anne Søndergaard
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark
| | - Aja N Greve
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ditte L Gantriis
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gry Poulsen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Department of Public Health, Section of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Md Jamal Uddin
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Department of Public Health, Section of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Larry J Seidman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Ole Mors
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kerstin J Plessen
- The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,Services of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Merete Nordentoft
- Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, Denmark,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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16
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Alemany S, Jansen PR, Muetzel RL, Marques N, El Marroun H, Jaddoe VWV, Polderman TJC, Tiemeier H, Posthuma D, White T. Common Polygenic Variations for Psychiatric Disorders and Cognition in Relation to Brain Morphology in the General Pediatric Population. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 58:600-607. [PMID: 30768412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.09.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the relation between polygenic scores (PGSs) for 5 major psychiatric disorders and 2 cognitive traits with brain magnetic resonance imaging morphologic measurements in a large population-based sample of children. In addition, this study tested for differences in brain morphology-mediated associations between PGSs for psychiatric disorders and PGSs for related behavioral phenotypes. METHOD Participants included 1,139 children from the Generation R Study assessed at 10 years of age with genotype and neuroimaging data available. PGSs were calculated for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, intelligence, and educational attainment using results from the most recent genome-wide association studies. Image processing was performed using FreeSurfer to extract cortical and subcortical brain volumes. RESULTS Greater genetic susceptibility for ADHD was associated with smaller caudate volume (strongest prior = 0.01: β = -0.07, p = .006). In boys, mediation analysis estimates showed that 11% of the association between the PGS for ADHD and the PGS attention problems was mediated by differences in caudate volume (n = 535), whereas mediation was not significant in girls or the entire sample. PGSs for educational attainment and intelligence showed positive associations with total brain volume (strongest prior = 0.5: β = 0.14, p = 7.12 × 10-8; and β = 0.12, p = 6.87 × 10-7, respectively). CONCLUSION The present findings indicate that the neurobiological manifestation of polygenic susceptibility for ADHD, educational attainment, and intelligence involve early morphologic differences in caudate and total brain volumes in childhood. Furthermore, the genetic risk for ADHD might influence attention problems through the caudate nucleus in boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Alemany
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Philip R Jansen
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center; Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Natália Marques
- Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center
| | - Tinca J C Polderman
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Danielle Posthuma
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands; VU University Medical Center (VUMC), Amsterdam
| | - Tonya White
- Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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17
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Thapar A, Rutter M. Do natural experiments have an important future in the study of mental disorders? Psychol Med 2019; 49:1079-1088. [PMID: 30606278 PMCID: PMC6498787 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718003896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is an enormous interest in identifying the causes of psychiatric disorders but there are considerable challenges in identifying which risks are genuinely causal. Traditionally risk factors have been inferred from observational designs. However, association with psychiatric outcome does not equate to causation. There are a number of threats that clinicians and researchers face in making causal inferences from traditional observational designs because adversities or exposures are not randomly allocated to individuals. Natural experiments provide an alternative strategy to randomized controlled trials as they take advantage of situations whereby links between exposure and other variables are separated by naturally occurring events or situations. In this review, we describe a growing range of different types of natural experiment and highlight that there is a greater confidence about findings where there is a convergence of findings across different designs. For example, exposure to hostile parenting is consistently found to be associated with conduct problems using different natural experiment designs providing support for this being a causal risk factor. Different genetically informative designs have repeatedly found that exposure to negative life events and being bullied are linked to later depression. However, for exposure to prenatal cigarette smoking, while findings from natural experiment designs are consistent with a causal effect on offspring lower birth weight, they do not support the hypothesis that intra-uterine cigarette smoking has a causal effect on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and conduct problems and emerging findings highlight caution about inferring causal effects on bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Thapar
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Michael Rutter
- MRC SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, London, UK
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18
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Riglin L, Hammerton G, Heron J, Collishaw S, Arseneault L, Thapar AK, Maughan B, O’Donovan MC, Thapar A. Developmental Contributions of Schizophrenia Risk Alleles and Childhood Peer Victimization to Early-Onset Mental Health Trajectories. Am J Psychiatry 2019; 176:36-43. [PMID: 30486671 PMCID: PMC6314438 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.18010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Twin studies suggest that genetic factors contribute to continuity in mental health problems and that environmental factors are the major contributor to developmental change. The authors investigated the influence of psychiatric risk alleles on early-onset mental health trajectories and whether the trajectories were subsequently modified by exposure to childhood victimization. METHODS The sample was a prospective U.K. population-based cohort, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The developmental trajectories of emotional problems were estimated in childhood (approximately ages 4-8 years) and adolescence (approximately ages 12-17 years). Psychiatric risk alleles were indexed by polygenic risk scores (PRS) for schizophrenia using genome-wide association study results from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Chronic peer victimization in late childhood (ages 8.5 and 10.5 years) was assessed as an index of environmental exposure. Individuals with sufficient data on emotional problems, the PRS, and victimization were included in the main analyses (N=3,988). RESULTS Higher schizophrenia PRSs were associated with a trajectory of early-onset increasing emotional problems (odds ratio=1.18, 95% CI=1.02-1.36) compared with a trajectory of low-stable emotional problems. Subsequent exposure to victimization increased the likelihood of transitioning from a trajectory of low-stable emotional problems during childhood (before exposure) to an increasing trajectory in adolescence (after exposure) (odds ratio=2.59, 95% CI=1.48-4.53). CONCLUSIONS While the early development of emotional problems was associated with genetic risk (schizophrenia risk alleles), the subsequent course of emotional problems for those who might otherwise have remained on a more favorable trajectory was altered by exposure to peer victimization, which is a potentially modifiable environmental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Riglin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Gemma Hammerton
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jon Heron
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephan Collishaw
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Louise Arseneault
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK
| | - Ajay K Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Barbara Maughan
- MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK
| | - Michael C O’Donovan
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
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