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bioRxiv · 10.1101/027771

Genetic risk for autism spectrum disorders and neuropsychiatric variation in the general population

Elise B Robinson·Beate St Pourcain·Verneri Anttila·Jack Kosmicki·Brendan Bulik-Sullivan·Jakob Grove·Julian Maller·Kaitlin E Samocha·Stephan Sanders·Stephan Ripke·Joanna Martin·Mads V Hollegaard·Thomas Werge·David M Hougaard·Benjamin M Neale·David Evans·David Skuse·Preben Bo Mortensen·Anders Borglum·Angelica Ronald·George Davey Smith·Mark J Daly
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Abstract

Almost all genetic risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be found in the general population, but the effects of that risk are unclear in people not ascertained for neuropsychiatric symptoms. Using several large ASD consortia and population based resources, we find genetic links between ASDs and typical variation in social behavior and adaptive functioning. This finding is evidenced through both inherited and de novo variation, indicating that multiple types of genetic risk for ASDs influence a continuum of behavioral and developmental traits, the severe tail of which can result in an ASD or other neuropsychiatric disorder diagnosis. A continuum model should inform the design and interpretation of studies of neuropsychiatric disease biology.

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Elise B Robinson, Beate St Pourcain, Verneri Anttila, Jack Kosmicki, Brendan Bulik-Sullivan, Jakob Grove, Julian Maller, Kaitlin E Samocha, Stephan Sanders, Stephan Ripke, Joanna Martin, Mads V Hollegaard, Thomas Werge, David M Hougaard, Benjamin M Neale, David Evans, David Skuse, Preben Bo Mortensen, Anders Borglum, Angelica Ronald, George Davey Smith, Mark J Daly. 2015-09-29. Genetic risk for autism spectrum disorders and neuropsychiatric variation in the general population. https://doi.org/10.1101/027771

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