Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 25, 2008 10:30:33 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Autism Linked to Parents' Mental Disorders

Posted May 6, 08 3:18 AM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – A new study of autistic children may provide insight into the causes of autism and its epidemic rates in developed countries. Researchers have found a link between autism and mental disorders among parents—including schizophrenia, personality disorders and clinical depression. Mothers and fathers diagnosed with schizophrenia are about twice as likely to have a child diagnosed with autism, the study found.

"Establishing an association between autism and other psychiatric disorders might enable future investigators to better focus on genetic and environmental factors that might be shared among these disorders," said the author of the study published in Pediatrics. "It may help identify opportunities to prevent or treat the disorder."

Source AFP

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Don't Expect a 20th Nervous Breakdown

    Apr 15, 08 10:11 AM CDT
    Don't Expect a 20th Nervous Breakdown “Nervous breakdown” has long been a catchall for psychological conditions as varied as depression and schizophrenia. But as psychiatric patients emerge from stigmatized isolation—and as the DSM fattens—scientists are chucking the antiquated term in favor of a more descriptive and accurate taxonomy. “I haven’t heard that term in years,” one expert tells MSNBC. More »

  • Schizophrenia Gene Find Surprises Scientists

    Mar 28, 08 6:08 AM CDT
    Schizophrenia Gene Find Surprises Scientists Scientists have tracked down the genetic roots of schizophrenia, but in a surprising twist researchers found that the genetic errors to blame often vary from person to person, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The discovery suggests that multiple glitches in the genetic code are behind schizophrenia, with the exact combination unique in every patient. More »

  • Scientists Find Switch to Turn On Brain Cells

    Aug 14, 07 3:21 AM CDT
    Scientists Find Switch to Turn On Brain Cells Neuroscientists are experimenting with switching targeted groups of brain cells on and off using remote-controlled lasers, promising hope for treatment of mental disorders, reports the New York Times. The technique, using cells altered with a photo-sensitive protein called channelrhodopsin-2, could one day be used to treat a host of problems from autism to depression. More »

A music therapist works with a child diagnosed with autism. A new study has identified a link between autism and mental illness among some parents.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
Therapists work with a boy diagnosed with autism. A new study has identified a link between autism and mental illness among some parents.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
A new study has identified a link between autism and mental illness among some parents.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Threads (1 of 1)

Tags

depression  • parents  • autism  • schizophrenia


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »