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Schuurmans IK, Smajlagic D, Baltramonaityte V, Malmberg ALK, Neumann A, Creasey N, Felix JF, Tiemeier H, Pingault JB, Czamara D, Raïkkönen K, Page CM, Lyle R, Havdahl A, Lahti J, Walton E, Bekkhus M, Cecil CAM. Genetic susceptibility to neurodevelopmental conditions associates with neonatal DNA methylation patterns in the general population: an individual participant data meta-analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.07.01.24309384. [PMID: 39006433 PMCID: PMC11245083 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.24309384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia (SCZ) are highly heritable and linked to disruptions in foetal (neuro)development. While epigenetic processes are considered an important underlying pathway between genetic susceptibility and neurodevelopmental conditions, it is unclear (i) whether genetic susceptibility to these conditions is associated with epigenetic patterns, specifically DNA methylation (DNAm), already at birth; (ii) to what extent DNAm patterns are unique or shared across conditions, and (iii) whether these neonatal DNAm patterns can be leveraged to enhance genetic prediction of (neuro)developmental outcomes. Methods We conducted epigenome-wide meta-analyses of genetic susceptibility to ASD, ADHD, and schizophrenia, quantified using polygenic scores (PGSs) on cord blood DNAm, using four population-based cohorts (n pooled=5,802), all North European. Heterogeneity statistics were used to estimate overlap in DNAm patterns between PGSs. Subsequently, DNAm-based measures of PGSs were built in a target sample, and used as predictors to test incremental variance explained over PGS in 130 (neuro)developmental outcomes spanning birth to 14 years. Outcomes In probe-level analyses, SCZ-PGS associated with neonatal DNAm at 246 loci (p<9×10-8), predominantly in the major histocompatibility complex. Functional characterization of these DNAm loci confirmed strong genetic effects, significant blood-brain concordance and enrichment for immune-related pathways. 8 loci were identified for ASD-PGS (mapping to FDFT1 and MFHAS1), and none for ADHD-PGS. Regional analyses indicated a large number of differentially methylated regions for all PGSs (SCZ-PGS: 157, ASD-PGS: 130, ADHD-PGS: 166). DNAm signals showed little overlap between PGSs. We found suggestive evidence that incorporating DNAm-based measures of genetic susceptibility at birth increases explained variance for several child cognitive and motor outcomes over and above PGS. Interpretation Genetic susceptibility for neurodevelopmental conditions, particularly schizophrenia, is detectable in cord blood DNAm at birth in a population-based sample, with largely distinct DNAm patterns between PGSs. These findings support an early-origins perspective on schizophrenia. Funding HorizonEurope; European Research Council.
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Affiliation(s)
- I K Schuurmans
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - D Smajlagic
- PROMENTA Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - A L K Malmberg
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - N Creasey
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - J F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - J B Pingault
- Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - D Czamara
- Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Department Genes and Environment, Munich, Germany
| | - K Raïkkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - C M Page
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - R Lyle
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - A Havdahl
- PROMENTA Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - E Walton
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - M Bekkhus
- PROMENTA Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - C A M Cecil
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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2
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Meng X, Zhang S, Zhou S, Ma Y, Yu X, Guan L. Putative Risk Biomarkers of Bipolar Disorder in At-risk Youth. Neurosci Bull 2024:10.1007/s12264-024-01219-w. [PMID: 38710851 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-024-01219-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Bipolar disorder is a highly heritable and functionally impairing disease. The recognition and intervention of BD especially that characterized by early onset remains challenging. Risk biomarkers for predicting BD transition among at-risk youth may improve disease prognosis. We reviewed the more recent clinical studies to find possible pre-diagnostic biomarkers in youth at familial or (and) clinical risk of BD. Here we found that putative biomarkers for predicting conversion to BD include findings from multiple sample sources based on different hypotheses. Putative risk biomarkers shown by perspective studies are higher bipolar polygenetic risk scores, epigenetic alterations, elevated immune parameters, front-limbic system deficits, and brain circuit dysfunction associated with emotion and reward processing. Future studies need to enhance machine learning integration, make clinical detection methods more objective, and improve the quality of cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Meng
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shengmin Zhang
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shuzhe Zhou
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yantao Ma
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lili Guan
- Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
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3
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Forsyth JK, Bearden CE. Rethinking the First Episode of Schizophrenia: Identifying Convergent Mechanisms During Development and Moving Toward Prediction. Am J Psychiatry 2023; 180:792-804. [PMID: 37908094 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Forsyth
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle (Forsyth); Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (Bearden)
| | - Carrie E Bearden
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle (Forsyth); Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (Bearden)
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4
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Chawner SJRA, Paine AL, Dunn MJ, Walsh A, Sloane P, Thomas M, Evans A, Hopkins‐Jones L, Struik S, Hall J, Erichsen JT, Leekam SR, Owen MJ, Hay D, van den Bree MBM. Neurodevelopmental dimensional assessment of young children at high genomic risk of neuropsychiatric conditions. JCPP ADVANCES 2023; 3:e12162. [PMID: 37753151 PMCID: PMC10519742 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion are at considerably increased risk of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. There have been very few studies investigating how this risk manifests in early childhood and what factors may underlie developmental variability. Insights into this can elucidate transdiagnostic markers of risk that may underlie later development of neuropsychiatric outcomes. Methods Thirty two children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) (mean age = 4.1 [SD = 1.2] years) and 12 sibling controls (mean age = 4.1 [SD = 1.5] years) underwent in-depth dimensional phenotyping across several developmental domains selected as being potential early indicators of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric liability. Comparisons were conducted of the dimensional developmental phenotype of 22q11.2DS and sibling controls. For autistic traits, both parents and children were phenotyped using the Social Responsiveness Scale. Results Young children with 22q11.2DS exhibited large impairments (Hedge's g ≥ 0.8) across a range of developmental domains relative to sibling controls, as well as high rates of transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental and psychiatric traits. Cluster analysis revealed a subgroup of children with 22q11.2DS (n = 16; 53%) in whom neurodevelopmental and psychiatric liability was particularly increased and who differed from other children with 22q11.2DS and non-carrier siblings. Exploratory analyses revealed that early motor and sleep impairments indexed liability for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric outcomes. Maternal autism trait scores were predictive of autism traits in children with 22q11.2DS (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.47, p = 0.046, n = 31). Conclusions Although psychiatric conditions typically emerge later in adolescence and adulthood in 22q11.2DS, our exploratory study was able to identify a range of early risk indicators. Furthermore, findings indicate the presence of a subgroup who appeared to have increased neurodevelopmental and psychiatric liability. Our findings highlight the scope for future studies of early risk mechanisms and early intervention within this high genetic risk patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J. R. A. Chawner
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental ScienceSchool of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Amy L. Paine
- Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental ScienceSchool of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Matt J. Dunn
- School of Optometry and Vision SciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Alice Walsh
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Poppy Sloane
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Megan Thomas
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Alexandra Evans
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Lucinda Hopkins‐Jones
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Siske Struik
- Immunodeficiency Centre for WalesUniversity Hospital of WalesCardiffUK
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | | | - Susan R. Leekam
- Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental ScienceSchool of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Michael J. Owen
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Dale Hay
- Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental ScienceSchool of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Marianne B. M. van den Bree
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and GenomicsDivision of Psychological Medicine and Clinical NeurosciencesCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
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5
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Hannigan LJ, Askeland RB, Ask H, Tesli M, Corfield E, Ayorech Z, Magnus P, Njølstad PR, Øyen AS, Stoltenberg C, Andreassen OA, Ronald A, Smith GD, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Havdahl A. Developmental milestones in early childhood and genetic liability to neurodevelopmental disorders. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1750-1758. [PMID: 37310338 PMCID: PMC10106302 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timing of developmental milestones, such as age at first walking, is associated with later diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, its relationship to genetic risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in the general population is unknown. Here, we investigate associations between attainment of early-life language and motor development milestones and genetic liability to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. METHODS We use data from a genotyped sub-set (N = 25699) of children in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). We calculate polygenic scores (PGS) for autism, ADHD, and schizophrenia and predict maternal reports of children's age at first walking, first words, and first sentences, motor delays (18 months), and language delays and a generalised measure of concerns about development (3 years). We use linear and probit regression models in a multi-group framework to test for sex differences. RESULTS We found that ADHD PGS were associated with earlier walking age (β = -0.033, padj < 0.001) in both males and females. Additionally, autism PGS were associated with later walking (β = 0.039, padj = 0.006) in females only. No robust associations were observed for schizophrenia PGS or between any neurodevelopmental PGS and measures of language developmental milestone attainment. CONCLUSIONS Genetic liabilities for neurodevelopmental disorders show some specific associations with the age at which children first walk unsupported. Associations are small but robust and, in the case of autism PGS, differentiated by sex. These findings suggest that early-life motor developmental milestone attainment is associated with genetic liability to ADHD and autism in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J. Hannigan
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - 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, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål Rasmus Njølstad
- Department of Clinical Science, KG Jebsen Center for Diabetes Research, 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
| | - Angelica Ronald
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, 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, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Promenta Research Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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6
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Tonna M, Lucarini V, Borrelli DF, Parmigiani S, Marchesi C. Disembodiment and Language in Schizophrenia: An Integrated Psychopathological and Evolutionary Perspective. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:161-171. [PMID: 36264669 PMCID: PMC9810023 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac146] [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] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Different hypotheses have flourished to explain the evolutionary paradox of schizophrenia. In this contribution, we sought to illustrate how, in the schizophrenia spectrum, the concept of embodiment may underpin the phylogenetic and developmental pathways linking sensorimotor processes, the origin of human language, and the construction of a basic sense of the self. In particular, according to an embodied model of language, we suggest that the reuse of basic sensorimotor loops for language, while enabling the development of fully symbolic thought, has pushed the human brain close to the threshold of a severe disruption of self-embodiment processes, which are at the core of schizophrenia psychopathology. We adopted an inter-disciplinary approach (psychopathology, neuroscience, developmental biology) within an evolutionary framework, to gain an integrated, multi-perspectival model on the origin of schizophrenia vulnerability. A maladaptive over-expression of evolutionary-developmental trajectories toward language at the expense of embodiment processes would have led to the evolutionary "trade-off" of a hyper-symbolic activity to the detriment of a disembodied self. Therefore, schizophrenia psychopathology might be the cost of long-term co-evolutive interactions between brain and language.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tonna
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatric Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Local Health Service, Parma, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucarini
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | | | - Stefano Parmigiani
- Department of Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Unit of Behavioral Biology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Psychiatric Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Department of Mental Health, Local Health Service, Parma, Italy
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7
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Riglin L, Tobarra-Sanchez E, Stergiakouli E, Havdahl A, Tilling K, O'Donovan M, Nigg J, Langley K, Thapar A. Early manifestations of genetic liability for ADHD, autism and schizophrenia at ages 18 and 24 months. JCPP ADVANCES 2022; 2:e12093. [PMID: 36545360 PMCID: PMC9762693 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ADHD and autism are neurodevelopmental conditions, for which non-specific precursors or early signs include difficulties with language and motor skills, and differences in temperament in the first and second year of life. These early features have also been linked to later diagnosis of schizophrenia which is widely considered to have neurodevelopmental origins. Given that ADHD, autism and schizophrenia are all highly heritable, we tested the hypothesis that in the general population, measures of toddler language development, motor development and temperament are associated with genetic liability to ADHD, autism and/or schizophrenia. Methods Data were analysed from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) which included motor development scores at age 18 months and language development and temperament scores at age 24 months (N=7498). Genetic liability was indexed by polygenic risk scores (PGS) for ADHD, autism and schizophrenia. Results ADHD PGS were associated with specific temperament scales (higher activity β=0.07, 95% CI=0.04, 0.09 and lower withdrawal β=-0.05, 95% CI=-0.07, -0.02) as well as better gross motor scores (β=0.04, 95% CI=0.01, 0.06). Schizophrenia PGS were associated with one specific temperament scale (negative mood β=0.04, 95% CI=0.02, 0.07). We did not find strong evidence of association of autism PGS with any of the toddler measures; there was also not strong evidence of association with motor or language delays for any of the PGS. Conclusions This study suggests that some specific aspects of early temperament and gross motor differences in the general population could represent part of the early manifestation of genetic liability to neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Riglin
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK.,Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health
| | - Esther Tobarra-Sanchez
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Evie Stergiakouli
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK.,Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Norway.,Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway.,PROMENTA, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Kate Tilling
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Michael O'Donovan
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Joel Nigg
- Deptartment of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland OR, USA
| | - Kate Langley
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK.,School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Anita Thapar
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, UK.,Wolfson Centre for Young People's Mental Health
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8
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Poletti M, Raballo A. (Developmental) Motor Signs: Reconceptualizing a Potential Transdiagnostic Marker of Psychopathological Vulnerability. Schizophr Bull 2022; 48:763-765. [PMID: 35265980 PMCID: PMC9212093 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Poletti
- Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addiction, Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Andrea Raballo
- Section of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Center for Translational, Phenomenological and Developmental Psychopathology (CTPDP), Perugia University Hospital, Perugia, Italy
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Schizophrenia polygenic risk is associated with child mental health problems through early childhood adversity: evidence for a gene-environment correlation. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 31:529-539. [PMID: 33635441 PMCID: PMC8940779 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01727-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that schizophrenia polygenic risk predicts a multitude of mental health problems in the general population. Yet it is unclear by which mechanisms these associations arise. Here, we explored a possible gene-environment correlation in the association of schizophrenia polygenic risk with mental health problems via childhood adversity. This study was embedded in the population-based Generation R Study, including N = 1901 participants with genotyping for schizophrenia polygenic risk, maternal reporting of childhood adversity, and Child Behaviour Checklist measurement of mental health problems. Independent replication was attempted in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; N = 3641). Associations were analysed with Poisson regression and statistical mediation analysis. Higher burden of schizophrenia polygenic risk was associated with greater exposure to childhood adversity (P-value threshold < 0.5: Generation R Study, OR = 1.08, 95%CI 1.02-1.15, P = 0.01; ALSPAC, OR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.03, P < 0.01). Childhood adversities partly explained the relationship of schizophrenia polygenic risk with emotional, attention, and thought problems (proportion explained, range 5-23%). Direct effects of schizophrenia polygenic risk and adversity on mental health outcomes were also observed. In summary, genetic liability to schizophrenia increased the risk for mental health problems in the general paediatric population through childhood adversity. Although this finding could result from a mediated causal relationship between genotype and mental health, we argue that these observations most likely reflect a gene-environment correlation, i.e. adversities are a marker for the genetic risk that parents transmit to children. These and similar recent findings raise important conceptual questions about preventative interventions aimed at reducing childhood adversities.
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10
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Contribution of schizophrenia polygenic burden to longitudinal phenotypic variance in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4191-4200. [PMID: 35768638 PMCID: PMC9718680 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01674-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
While the recurrent 22q11.2 deletion is one of the strongest genetic risk factors for schizophrenia (SCZ), variability of its associated neuropsychiatric endophenotypes reflects its incomplete penetrance for psychosis development. To assess whether this phenotypic variability is linked to common variants associated with SCZ, we studied the association between SCZ polygenic risk score (PRS) and longitudinally acquired phenotypic information of the Swiss 22q11.2DS cohort (n = 97, 50% females, mean age 17.7 yr, mean visit interval 3.8 yr). The SCZ PRS with the best predictive performance was ascertained in the Estonian Biobank (n = 201,146) with LDpred. The infinitesimal SCZ PRS model showed the strongest capacity in discriminating SCZ cases from controls with one SD difference in SCZ PRS corresponding to an odds ratio (OR) of 1.73 (95% CI 1.57-1.90, P = 1.47 × 10-29). In 22q11.2 patients, random-effects ordinal regression modelling using longitudinal data showed SCZ PRS to have the strongest effect on social anhedonia (OR = 2.09, P = 0.0002), and occupational functioning (OR = 1.82, P = 0.0003) within the negative symptoms course, and dysphoric mood (OR = 2.00, P = 0.002) and stress intolerance (OR = 1.76, P = 0.0002) within the general symptoms course. Genetic liability for SCZ was additionally associated with full scale cognitive decline (β = -0.25, P = 0.02) and with longitudinal volumetric reduction of the right and left hippocampi (β = -0.28, P = 0.005; β = -0.23, P = 0.02, respectively). Our results indicate that the polygenic contribution to SCZ acts upon the threshold-lowering first hit (i.e., the deletion). It modifies the endophenotypes of 22q11.2DS and augments the derailment of developmental trajectories of negative and general symptoms, cognition, and hippocampal volume.
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11
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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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12
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Serdarevic F, Tiemeier H, Jansen PR, Alemany S, Xerxa Y, Neumann A, Robinson E, Hillegers MHJ, Verhulst FC, Ghassabian A. Polygenic Risk Scores for Developmental Disorders, Neuromotor Functioning During Infancy, and Autistic Traits in Childhood. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:132-138. [PMID: 31629460 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired neuromotor development is often one of the earliest observations in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigated whether a genetic predisposition to developmental disorders was associated with nonoptimal neuromotor development during infancy and examined the genetic correlation between nonoptimal neuromotor development and autistic traits in the general population. METHODS In a population-based cohort in The Netherlands (2002-2006), we calculated polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using genome-wide association study summary statistics. In 1921 children with genetic data, parents rated autistic traits at 6 years of age. Among them, 1174 children (61.1%) underwent neuromotor examinations (tone, responses, senses, and other observations) during infancy (9-20 weeks of age). We used linear regressions to examine associations of PRSs with neuromotor scores and autistic traits. We performed a bivariate genome-based restricted maximum likelihood analysis to explore whether genetic susceptibility underlies the association between neuromotor development and autistic traits. RESULTS Higher PRSs for ASD were associated with less optimal overall infant neuromotor development, in particular low muscle tone. Higher PRSs for ADHD were associated with less optimal senses. PRSs for ASD and those for ADHD both were associated with autistic traits. The single nucleotide polymorphism-based heritability of overall motor development was 20% (SE = .21) and of autistic traits was 68% (SE = .26). The genetic correlation between overall motor development and autistic traits was .35 (SE = .21, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS We found that genetic liabilities for ASD and ADHD covary with neuromotor development during infancy. Shared genetic liability might partly explain the association between nonoptimal neuromotor development during infancy and autistic traits in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadila Serdarevic
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Philip R Jansen
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Alemany
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yllza Xerxa
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elise Robinson
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Manon H J Hillegers
- Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank C Verhulst
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Akhgar Ghassabian
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
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13
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Jonas KG, Lencz T, Li K, Malhotra AK, Perlman G, Fochtmann LJ, Bromet EJ, Kotov R. Schizophrenia polygenic risk score and 20-year course of illness in psychotic disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:300. [PMID: 31727878 PMCID: PMC6856168 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-019-0612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding whether and how the schizophrenia polygenic risk score (SZ PRS) predicts course of illness could improve diagnosis and prognostication in psychotic disorders. We tested whether the SZ PRS predicts symptoms, cognition, illness severity, and diagnostic changes over the 20 years following first admission. The Suffolk County Mental Health Project is an inception cohort study of first-admission patients with psychosis. Patients were assessed six times over 20 years, and 249 provided DNA. Geographically- and demographically-matched never psychotic adults were recruited at year 20, and 205 provided DNA. Symptoms were rated using the Schedule for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and Schedule for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Cognition was evaluated with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Illness severity and diagnosis were determined by consensus of study psychiatrists. SZ PRS was significantly higher in first-admission than never psychotic groups. Within the psychosis cohort, the SZ PRS predicted more severe negative symptoms (β = 0.21), greater illness severity (β = 0.28), and worse cognition (β = -0.35), across the follow-up. The SZ PRS was the strongest predictor of diagnostic shifts from affective to non-affective psychosis over the 20 years (AUC = 0.62). The SZ PRS predicts persistent differences in cognition and negative symptoms. The SZ PRS also predicts who among those who appear to have a mood disorder with psychosis at first admission will ultimately be diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. These findings show potential for the SZ PRS to become a tool for diagnosis and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine G Jonas
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Todd Lencz
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, East Garden City, USA
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaiqiao Li
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anil K Malhotra
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, East Garden City, USA
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, New York, NY, USA
| | - Greg Perlman
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura J Fochtmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evelyn J Bromet
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roman Kotov
- Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University, New York, NY, USA
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Poletti M, Tortorella A, Raballo A. Impaired Corollary Discharge in Psychosis and At-Risk States: Integrating Neurodevelopmental, Phenomenological, and Clinical Perspectives. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2019; 4:832-841. [PMID: 31262709 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The brain is increasingly viewed in contemporary neuroscience as a predictive machine; its products, such as movements and decisions, are indeed accompanied by predictions of outcomes at distinct levels of awareness. In this conceptual review, we focus on corollary discharge, a basic neurophysiological mechanism that is allegedly involved in sensory prediction and contributes to the distinction between self-generated and externally generated actions. Failures in corollary discharge have been hypothesized as potentially relevant for the progressive development of positive psychotic symptoms such as passivity delusions and auditory verbal hallucinations. We articulate this framework adopting three confocal lenses, namely, the neurodevelopmental, phenomenological, and clinical perspectives. Converging evidence from these research domains indicates a possible developmental cascade leading to increased lifetime risk of psychosis. That is, early childhood alterations of corollary discharge mechanisms, endophenotypically expressed in motor impairment, may concur with a progressive fading of the feeling of self-agency on one's own experiences. Combined with other age-dependent situational challenges occurring along development, this may progressively hamper the ontogenesis of the embodied self, thereby facilitating the emergence of anomalous subjective experiences such as self-disorders (a longitudinal index of schizophrenia spectrum vulnerability) and broadly conceived clinical high-risk states. Overall, this condition increases the risk of developing passivity symptoms, phenotypically expressed in a severity gradient ranging from intrusive thoughts to passivity delusions and auditory verbal hallucinations. Empirical and clinical implications of this framework, as well as future scenarios, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Poletti
- Department of Mental Health, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCSS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alfonso Tortorella
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Raballo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; Center for Translational, Phenomenological and Developmental Psychopathology, Perugia University Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
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15
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Bolhuis K, Tiemeier H, Jansen PR, Muetzel RL, Neumann A, Hillegers MHJ, van den Akker ETL, van Rossum EFC, Jaddoe VWV, Vernooij MW, White T, Kushner SA. Interaction of schizophrenia polygenic risk and cortisol level on pre-adolescent brain structure. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 101:295-303. [PMID: 30599318 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of schizophrenia is multi-factorial with early neurodevelopmental antecedents, likely to result from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental risk. However, few studies have examined how schizophrenia polygenic risk scores (PRS) are moderated by environmental factors in shaping neurodevelopmental brain structure, prior to the onset of psychotic symptoms. Here, we examined whether hair cortisol, a quantitative metric of chronic stress, moderated the association between genetic risk for schizophrenia and pre-adolescent brain structure. This study was embedded within the Generation R Study, involving pre-adolescents of European ancestry assessed regarding schizophrenia PRS, hair cortisol, and brain imaging (n = 498 structural; n = 526 diffusion tensor imaging). Linear regression was performed to determine the association between schizophrenia PRS, hair cortisol level, and brain imaging outcomes. Although no single measure exceeded the multiple testing threshold, nominally significant interactions were observed for total ventricle volume (Pinteraction = 0.02) and global white matter microstructure (Pinteraction = 0.01) - two of the most well replicated brain structural findings in schizophrenia. These findings provide suggestive evidence for the joint effects of schizophrenia liability and cortisol levels on brain correlates in the pediatric general population. Given the widely replicated finding of ventricular enlargement and lower white matter integrity among schizophrenia patients, our findings generate novel hypotheses for future research on gene-environment interactions affecting the neurodevelopmental pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Bolhuis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Philip R Jansen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Manon H J Hillegers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erica T L van den Akker
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Obesity Center CGG (Centrum Gezond Gewicht), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth F C van Rossum
- Obesity Center CGG (Centrum Gezond Gewicht), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Meike W Vernooij
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center -Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Steven A Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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