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Developmental associations between traits of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a genetically informative, longitudinal twin study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2012

M. J. Taylor ,
T. Charman ,
E. B. Robinson ,
R. Plomin ,
F. Happé ,
P. Asherson  and
A. Ronald
M. J. Taylor*
Affiliation:
Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education, University of London, London, UK
T. Charman
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
E. B. Robinson
Affiliation:
Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, USA
R. Plomin
Affiliation:
King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
F. Happé
Affiliation:
King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
P. Asherson
Affiliation:
King's College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK
A. Ronald
Affiliation:
Genes Environment Lifespan Laboratory, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: M. J. Taylor, M.Sc., Centre for Research in Autism and Education, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Institute of Education (University of London), 25 Woburn Square, London WC1H 0AA, UK. (Email: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and associated subclinical traits, regularly co-occur with one another. However, the aetiology of their co-occurrence remains poorly understood. This paper provides the first genetically informative, longitudinal analysis of the interaction between traits of ASD and ADHD, and explores their genetic and environmental overlap.

Method

Parents of approximately 5000 twin pairs completed questionnaires assessing traits of ASD and ADHD when twins were aged 8 and 12 years. Cross-lagged longitudinal modelling explored their developmental association, enabling a consideration of phenotypic-driven processes. Overlapping aetiological influences on traits at age 12 years were explored using bivariate twin modelling.

Results

Traits of ADHD at age 8 years were more strongly predictive of traits of ASD at 12 years than traits of ASD at 8 years were of traits of ADHD at 12 years. Analysis of traits by subscales assessing specific symptom domains suggested that communication difficulties were most strongly associated with traits of ADHD. Bivariate modelling suggested moderate genetic overlap on traits in males (genetic correlation = 0.41), and a modest degree of overlap in females (genetic correlation = 0.23) at age 12 years.

Conclusions

Traits of ADHD at age 8 years significantly influence traits of ASD at age 12 years, after controlling for their initial relationship at age 8 years. In particular, early ADHD traits influenced later communication difficulties. These findings demonstrate the dynamic nature of co-occurring traits across development. In addition, these findings add to a growing body of literature suggesting that traits of ASD and ADHD may arise via similar aetiological processes.

Keywords

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderautismlongitudinaltwin study
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 43 , Issue 8 , August 2013 , pp. 1735 - 1746
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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