Study may show a way to predict whether children with a genetic disorder will develop autism or psychosis

Doctors and researchers have long known that children who are missing about 60 genes on a certain chromosome are at a significantly elevated risk for developing either a disorder on the autism spectrum or psychosis — that is, any mental disorder characterized by delusions and hallucinations, including schizophrenia. But there has been no way to predict which child with the abnormality might be at risk for which disorder. New findings by researchers at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh are the first to suggest a potential way to make that determination. In a study published in PLOS One, the researchers report having isolated specific genetic differences between people with the chromosomal deletion — known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or DiGeorge syndrome — who have autism and those who have psychosis. “Ultimately, this kind of information could be used as a diagnostic tool that could allow pediatricians or other clinicians to determine who will develop which disorder, so that the appropriate intervention can be applied — and applied early enough to have the most impact,” said Carrie Bearden, the study’s senior author and a professor of psychiatry and psychology at UCLA. “We know that early intervention is very important for people at risk for autism or psychosis.”  UCLA Carrie Bearden DiGeorge syndrome affects roughly 1 in 2500 children born worldwide, and is the second most common genetic abnormality, after Down syndrome. It can be detected with an am...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news