Autism/Schizophrenia in the Family
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: July 5, 2012
New research points to an increased risk of autism in children whose parent, brother, or sister suffers from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
"The results were very consistent in large samples from several different countries and lead us to believe that autism and schizophrenia are more similar than we had thought," said Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan, professor in the department of genetics and director of psychiatric genomics at the University of North Carolina.
Sullivan and colleagues found that the presence of schizophrenia in parents was associated with an almost three times increased risk for autism spectrum disorder in groups from both Stockholm and all of Sweden. Researchers say bipolar disorder is also part of the equation, but the link isn't as strong.
"The results were very consistent in large samples from several different countries and lead us to believe that autism and schizophrenia are more similar than we had thought," said Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan, professor in the department of genetics and director of psychiatric genomics at the University of North Carolina.
Sullivan and colleagues found that the presence of schizophrenia in parents was associated with an almost three times increased risk for autism spectrum disorder in groups from both Stockholm and all of Sweden. Researchers say bipolar disorder is also part of the equation, but the link isn't as strong.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.