Schizophrenia, Autism Link

Author: mom_to_one, 07 03rd, 2012

According to new autism research from Sweden and Israel, families with a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are also more likely to have children with autism. Children are three times as likely to be diagnosed on the spectrum if they have a parent or sibling with schizophrenia. The link between bipolar disorder and autism is weaker, but still consistently present.

Dr. Patrick Sullivan, the study’s lead author, stressed that “most people with a family history of one of these disorders actually get nothing – the vast majority in fact.” The research is still exciting because it may lead to the discovery of a common underlying cause. Although, researchers caution that the diagnoses are different and each disorder requires specialized treatment.


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