Journal article
The role of co-occurring conditions and genetics in the associations of eating disorders with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder
Molecular psychiatry
14 Nov 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) commonly co-occur with other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the pattern of family history and genetic overlap among them requires clarification. This study investigated the diagnostic, familial, and genetic associations of EDs with ADHD and ASD. The nationwide population-based cohort study included all individuals born in Denmark, 1981-2008, linked to their siblings and cousins. Cox regression was used to estimate associations between EDs and ADHD or ASD, and mediation analysis was used to assess the effects of intermediate mood or anxiety disorders. Polygenic scores (PGSs) were used to investigate the genetic association between anorexia nervosa (AN) and ADHD or ASD. Significantly increased risk for any ED was observed following an ADHD or ASD diagnosis. Mediation analysis suggested that intermediate mood or anxiety disorders could account for 44%-100% of the association between ADHD or ASD and ED. Individuals with a full sibling or maternal half sibling with ASD had increased risk of AN compared to those with siblings without ASD. A positive association was found between ASD-PGS and AN risk whereas a negative association was found between AN-PGS and ADHD. In this study, positive phenotypic associations between EDs and ADHD or ASD, mediation by mood or anxiety disorder, and genetic associations between ASD-PGS and AN and between AN-PGS and ADHD were observed. These findings could guide future research in the development of new treatments that can mitigate the development of EDs among individuals with ADHD or ASD.Eating disorders (EDs) commonly co-occur with other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the pattern of family history and genetic overlap among them requires clarification. This study investigated the diagnostic, familial, and genetic associations of EDs with ADHD and ASD. The nationwide population-based cohort study included all individuals born in Denmark, 1981-2008, linked to their siblings and cousins. Cox regression was used to estimate associations between EDs and ADHD or ASD, and mediation analysis was used to assess the effects of intermediate mood or anxiety disorders. Polygenic scores (PGSs) were used to investigate the genetic association between anorexia nervosa (AN) and ADHD or ASD. Significantly increased risk for any ED was observed following an ADHD or ASD diagnosis. Mediation analysis suggested that intermediate mood or anxiety disorders could account for 44%-100% of the association between ADHD or ASD and ED. Individuals with a full sibling or maternal half sibling with ASD had increased risk of AN compared to those with siblings without ASD. A positive association was found between ASD-PGS and AN risk whereas a negative association was found between AN-PGS and ADHD. In this study, positive phenotypic associations between EDs and ADHD or ASD, mediation by mood or anxiety disorder, and genetic associations between ASD-PGS and AN and between AN-PGS and ADHD were observed. These findings could guide future research in the development of new treatments that can mitigate the development of EDs among individuals with ADHD or ASD.
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Details
- Title
- The role of co-occurring conditions and genetics in the associations of eating disorders with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder
- Creators
- Gitte Bundgaard Christiansen - Aarhus UniversityLiselotte Vogdrup Petersen - Aarhus UniversityHannah Chatwin - Aarhus UniversityZeynep YilmazDiana Schendel - Aarhus UniversityCynthia M Bulik - Karolinska InstitutetJakob Grove - Aarhus UniversityIsabell Brikell - Aarhus UniversityBirgitte Dige Semark - Aarhus UniversityKatrine HoldeMohamed Abdulkadir - Aarhus UniversityChristopher Hübel - Aarhus UniversityClara Albiñana - Aarhus UniversityBjarni Jóhann Vilhjálmsson - Aarhus UniversityAnders D Børglum - Lundbeck FoundationDitte Demontis - Lundbeck FoundationPreben Bo Mortensen - Aarhus UniversityJanne Tidselbak Larsen - Aarhus University
- Publication Details
- Molecular psychiatry
- Publisher
- SPRINGERNATURE; LONDON
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- Novo Nordisk Fonden (Novo Nordisk Foundation)
The authors would like to thank the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the research participants and employees of 23andMe, Inc. for providing the summary statistics used to generate the polygenic scores.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001354830000001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85208927357
- Other Identifier
- 991021961108804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Neurosciences
- Psychiatry
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