Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract Background Despite previous studies have recently shown Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as having a strong genetics background, over a minimum environmental background, no study up to date has investigated the interplay between genetics and environment. Methods We have collected data regard...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04747-3 |
| _version_ | 1797845843716341760 |
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| author | Anita Brito Felipe Franco Helena Brentani Patrícia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga |
| author_facet | Anita Brito Felipe Franco Helena Brentani Patrícia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga |
| author_sort | Anita Brito |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite previous studies have recently shown Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as having a strong genetics background, over a minimum environmental background, no study up to date has investigated the interplay between genetics and environment. Methods We have collected data regarding Family History (FH) and Environmental Factors (EF) from 2,141 individuals with ASD and their caretakers throughout Brazil, based on an online questionnaire. Most of the ASD individuals were males (81%) and the average age was 02 years minimum for males and females, and the maximum age was 41 years for males and 54 for females. People from all states in Brazil have answered the questionnaire. Genetic inheritance was obtained based on the declared FH of Psychiatric and Neurological diagnosis. As for EF, exposure to risk factors during pregnancy was considered, like infections, diabetes, drugs/chemicals exposure, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. Respondents were invited to answer the questionnaire in lectures given throughout Brazil, and by the social networks of the NGO “The Tooth Fairy Project”. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to search vulnerability dimensions, and a Cluster Analysis was conducted to classify and identify the subgroups. Results Regarding EF, social and psychological exposures contributed to the first two dimensions. Concerning FH, the first dimension represented psychiatric FH, while the second represented neurological FH. When analyzed together, EF and FH contributed to two new dimensions: 1. psychiatric FH, and 2. a psychosocial component. Using Cluster Analysis, it was not possible to isolate subgroups by genetic vulnerability or environmental exposure. Instead, a gradient of psychiatric FH with similar contributions of EF was observed. Conclusion In this study, it was not possible to isolate groups of patients that correspond to only one component, but rather a continuum with different compositions of genetic and environmental interplay. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:45:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ea532b6884014b96bc172da167ca250d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T17:45:30Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-ea532b6884014b96bc172da167ca250d2023-04-16T11:21:22ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2023-04-0123111310.1186/s12888-023-04747-3Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum DisorderAnita Brito0Felipe Franco1Helena Brentani2Patrícia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga3Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São PauloPsychiatry Institute, University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Medicine (IPq-FMUSP)Psychiatry Institute, University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Medicine (IPq-FMUSP)Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São PauloAbstract Background Despite previous studies have recently shown Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as having a strong genetics background, over a minimum environmental background, no study up to date has investigated the interplay between genetics and environment. Methods We have collected data regarding Family History (FH) and Environmental Factors (EF) from 2,141 individuals with ASD and their caretakers throughout Brazil, based on an online questionnaire. Most of the ASD individuals were males (81%) and the average age was 02 years minimum for males and females, and the maximum age was 41 years for males and 54 for females. People from all states in Brazil have answered the questionnaire. Genetic inheritance was obtained based on the declared FH of Psychiatric and Neurological diagnosis. As for EF, exposure to risk factors during pregnancy was considered, like infections, diabetes, drugs/chemicals exposure, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. Respondents were invited to answer the questionnaire in lectures given throughout Brazil, and by the social networks of the NGO “The Tooth Fairy Project”. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to search vulnerability dimensions, and a Cluster Analysis was conducted to classify and identify the subgroups. Results Regarding EF, social and psychological exposures contributed to the first two dimensions. Concerning FH, the first dimension represented psychiatric FH, while the second represented neurological FH. When analyzed together, EF and FH contributed to two new dimensions: 1. psychiatric FH, and 2. a psychosocial component. Using Cluster Analysis, it was not possible to isolate subgroups by genetic vulnerability or environmental exposure. Instead, a gradient of psychiatric FH with similar contributions of EF was observed. Conclusion In this study, it was not possible to isolate groups of patients that correspond to only one component, but rather a continuum with different compositions of genetic and environmental interplay.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04747-3AutismGeneticFamily historyEnvironmental factorAutism spectrum conditionAutism Spectrum Disorder |
| spellingShingle | Anita Brito Felipe Franco Helena Brentani Patrícia Cristina Baleeiro Beltrão-Braga Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder BMC Psychiatry Autism Genetic Family history Environmental factor Autism spectrum condition Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title | Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full | Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_short | Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| title_sort | assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering family history and environmental interplay in autism spectrum disorder |
| topic | Autism Genetic Family history Environmental factor Autism spectrum condition Autism Spectrum Disorder |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04747-3 |
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