Abstract
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.
Key points
Precursors or early signs of ADHD, autism and schizophrenia include difficulties with language and motor skills, and differences in temperament in the first 2 years of life
We investigated associations for genetic liability to ADHD, autism and schizophrenia with motor, language and temperament scores at 18–24 months
We found ADHD genetic liability to be associated with better gross motor scores, higher activity and lower withdrawal and schizophrenia genetic liability to be associated with increased negative mood; we did not find strong evidence of association for autism genetic liability
Specific aspects of toddler temperament and gross motor differences in the general population could represent part of the early manifestation of genetic liability to neurodevelopmental conditions
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.
Key points
Precursors or early signs of ADHD, autism and schizophrenia include difficulties with language and motor skills, and differences in temperament in the first 2 years of life
We investigated associations for genetic liability to ADHD, autism and schizophrenia with motor, language and temperament scores at 18–24 months
We found ADHD genetic liability to be associated with better gross motor scores, higher activity and lower withdrawal and schizophrenia genetic liability to be associated with increased negative mood; we did not find strong evidence of association for autism genetic liability
Specific aspects of toddler temperament and gross motor differences in the general population could represent part of the early manifestation of genetic liability to neurodevelopmental conditions
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e12093 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | JCPP Advances |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 21 Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Sept 2022 |