Genetic links between mental disorders and social behaviour are variable
People with mental health conditions often experience social difficulties. For instance, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) tend to have peer problems, and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have problems with social interaction and communication. Individuals with major depression and bipolar disorder may withdraw from social interaction, and individuals with schizophrenia often lack social interest. These mental health conditions are all heritable to some degree—as is social behaviour, a complex set of traits that changes with age and situation. But does the genetic overlap between risk for mental disorder and social behaviour depend on which social aspects we study?
To find out, the team examined genetic risk scores (also known as polygenic risk scores or PRS) for different psychiatric disorders as well as social behaviour scores in two large UK population cohorts; the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). The children and adolescents in these samples (4 – 17 years) were rated by parents and teachers at different ages on prosocial behaviour, such as helping, sharing or cooperating with others. They were also rated on peer problems, such as social withdrawal, being bullied, and not getting along with others.
Genetic links between mental health conditions and social behaviour varied depending on the social traits studied and who reported them (teachers or parents). The researchers found that risk for ADHD, major depression and ASD was more strongly linked to peer problems than low prosocial behaviour, while schizophrenia was linked to low prosociality only. In contrast, age-related variation in genetic overlap was similar across several mental health conditions.
“These disorder-specific association profiles may help to refine diagnostic criteria and targeted treatment strategies, especially for psychotic versus non-psychotic disorders, says Beate St Pourcain, senior investigator of the study. “We will follow up our research with an in-depth screen for social difficulties that contribute most to these profiles.”
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