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Reed ZE, Larsson H, Haworth CMA, Rai D, Lundström S, Ronald A, Reichenberg A, Lichtenstein P, Davis OSP. Mapping the genetic and environmental aetiology of autistic traits in Sweden and the United Kingdom. JCPP ADVANCES 2021; 1:e12039. [PMID: 35992618 PMCID: PMC9379966 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autistic traits are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and are known to vary geographically in prevalence. But to what extent does their aetiology also vary from place to place? Methods We applied a novel spatial approach to data on autistic traits from two large twin studies, the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS; N = 16,677, including 8307 twin pairs) and the Twins Early Development Study in the UK (TEDS; N = 11,594, including 5796 twin pairs), to explore how the influence of nature and nurture on autistic traits varies from place to place. Results We present maps of gene‐ and environment‐ by geography interactions in Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK), showing geographical variation in both genetic and environmental influences across the two countries. In Sweden genetic influences appear higher in the far south and in a band running across the centre of the country. Environmental influences appear greatest in the south and north, with reduced environmental influence across the central band. In the UK genetic influences appear greater in the south, particularly in more central southern areas and the southeast, the Midlands and the north of England. Environmental influences appear greatest in the south and east of the UK, with less influence in the north and the west. Conclusions We hope this systematic approach to identifying aetiological interactions will inspire research to examine a wider range of previously unknown environmental influences on the aetiology of autistic traits. By doing so, we will gain greater understanding of how these environments draw out or mask genetic predisposition and interact with other environmental influences in the development of autistic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe E. Reed
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical School University of Bristol Bristol UK
| | - Henrik Larsson
- School of Medical Sciences Örebro University Örebro Sweden
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet Solna Sweden
| | - Claire M. A. Haworth
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol Bristol UK
- School of Psychological Science University of Bristol Bristol UK
- The Alan Turing Institute London UK
| | - Dheeraj Rai
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical School University of Bristol Bristol UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol Bristol UK
- Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Mental Health Trust Bath UK
| | - Sebastian Lundström
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Angelica Ronald
- Department of Psychological Sciences Birkbeck, University of London London UK
| | - Abraham Reichenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York City New York USA
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Karolinska Institutet Solna Sweden
| | - Oliver S. P. Davis
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit University of Bristol Bristol UK
- Department of Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical School University of Bristol Bristol UK
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol Bristol UK
- The Alan Turing Institute London UK
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Martinez M, Thomas KC, Williams CS, Christian R, Crais E, Pretzel R, Hooper SR. Family Experiences with the Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder: System Barriers and Facilitators of Efficient Diagnosis. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 48:2368-2378. [PMID: 29453706 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines family experiences with the efficiency of ASD diagnosis. Children were age 8 or younger with ASD (n = 450). Outcomes were delay from first parent concern to diagnosis, shifting diagnoses, and being told child did not have ASD. Predictors were screening, travel distance, and problems finding providers. Logit models were used to examine associations. Screening was associated with reduced delay in diagnosis; problems finding providers were associated with greater delay. Screening, travel distance, and delay in diagnosis were associated with shifting diagnoses and being told child did not have ASD. Physician and parent training in communication and addressing mental health professional shortages and maldistribution may improve the diagnosis experiences of families of children with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Martinez
- Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 MLK Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7590, USA
| | - K C Thomas
- Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 MLK Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7590, USA.
| | - C S Williams
- Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 MLK Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7590, USA
| | - R Christian
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Renee Lynne Ct, Carrboro, NC, 27510, USA
| | - E Crais
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, 321 S. Columbia Street, Bondurant Hall, CB#7190, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7190, USA
| | - R Pretzel
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Renee Lynne Ct, Carrboro, NC, 27510, USA
| | - S R Hooper
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, 321 S. Columbia Street, Bondurant Hall, CB#7190, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7190, USA
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DiGuiseppi CG, Daniels JL, Fallin DM, Rosenberg SA, Schieve LA, Thomas KC, Windham GC, Goss CW, Soke GN, Currie DW, Singer AB, Lee LC, Bernal P, Croen LA, Miller LA, Pinto-Martin JA, Young LM, Schendel DE. Demographic profile of families and children in the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED): Case-control study of autism spectrum disorder. Disabil Health J 2016; 9:544-51. [PMID: 26917104 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is designed to enhance knowledge of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and etiologies. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the demographic profile of enrolled families and examines sociodemographic differences between children with autism spectrum disorder and children with other developmental problems or who are typically developing. METHODS This multi-site case-control study used health, education, and birth certificate records to identify and enroll children aged 2-5 years into one of three groups: 1) cases (children with autism spectrum disorder), 2) developmental delay or disorder controls, or 3) general population controls. Study group classification was based on sampling source, prior diagnoses, and study screening tests and developmental evaluations. The child's primary caregiver provided demographic characteristics through a telephone (or occasionally face-to-face) interview. Groups were compared using ANOVA, chi-squared test, or multinomial logistic regression as appropriate. RESULTS Of 2768 study children, sizeable proportions were born to mothers of non-White race (31.7%), Hispanic ethnicity (11.4%), and foreign birth (17.6%); 33.0% of households had incomes below the US median. The autism spectrum disorder and population control groups differed significantly on nearly all sociodemographic parameters. In contrast, the autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay or disorder groups had generally similar sociodemographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS SEED enrolled a sociodemographically diverse sample, which will allow further, in-depth exploration of sociodemographic differences between study groups and provide novel opportunities to explore sociodemographic influences on etiologic risk factor associations with autism spectrum disorder and phenotypic subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn G DiGuiseppi
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Campus Box B119, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Julie L Daniels
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
| | - Daniele M Fallin
- Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, HH 850, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Steven A Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Campus Box F546, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laura A Schieve
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Kathleen C Thomas
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., CB#7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA
| | - Gayle C Windham
- California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Pkwy, Bldg. P/EHIB, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Cynthia W Goss
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Campus Box B119, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Gnakub N Soke
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Campus Box B119, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Dustin W Currie
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Campus Box B119, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alison B Singer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Li-Ching Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pilar Bernal
- Kaiser Permanente, ASD Center, Department of Psychiatry, 6620 Via del Oro, San Jose, CA 95119, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Autism Research Program, Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - Lisa A Miller
- Division of Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530, USA
| | - Jennifer A Pinto-Martin
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE), University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd, Claire Fagan Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lisa M Young
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE), University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, 418 Curie Blvd, Claire Fagan Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Diana E Schendel
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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