Increased Risk of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Siblings

Published May 5, 2016

In a new study published JAMA Pediatrics yesterday examined psychiatric records of siblings of people with autism living in Finland.  They found the rates of ASD, ADHD, ID, childhood emotional disorders, learning and coordination disorders, conduct and oppositional disorders, and tic disorders, were more frequent among siblings of siblings with ASD.  Also, there was an increase in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and affective disorders.  This was seen in the siblings of both males and females.    Besides the obvious implication on mental health care in families affected by ASD, these results suggest that all of these issues might share common genetic and environmental risk factors.  The abstract can be found here:  http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2519364

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