Rates of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have increased in recent decades across multiple populations.A cohort study from Denmark suggested that genetic risks of autism and ADHD have decreased over time among people with diagnoses.These findings suggest that clinical practice and diagnostic criteria have changed over time, researchers said.
Among people with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), genetic risk has decreased over time, a cohort study from Denmark suggested.
Among individuals with incident diagnoses made from 1994 to 2016, a more recent ADHD diagnosis was associated with a decreased genetic risk for the disorder, as shown by difference in mean polygenic score (β estimate per 10-year increase -0.06 standard deviations, 95% CI -0.09 to -0.03, P=0.001), and other disorders, including ASD, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, reported Sonja LaBianca, MD, PhD, of Copenhagen University Hospital, and colleagues.
In addition, a more recent ASD diagnosis was associated with decreased genetic risk for ASD (β estimate per 10-year increase -0.07 standard deviations, 95% CI -0.10 to -0.04, P<0.001) and other disorders and traits, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and educational attainment, they wrote in JAMA Psychiatry.
