Disorders of brain development in children have been linked to gene expression during pregnancy
Geneticists at the Massachusetts General Center for Genomic Medicine have found that a "cluster" of genes expressed in the brain while the fetus is in the womb increases the risk of developing many common mental and neurological disorders, including ADHD and depression.
Researchers used data from the large-scale Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which included nearly 12,000 children ages 9 and 10. Researchers looked for genetic patterns in the collected data that are associated with the development of mental and neurological disorders in adults.
The researchers found that genetic factors that are associated with the development of mental and neurological disorders in children and adults are different. They were able to identify a set of "neurodevelopmental genes" that influence the risk of developing several disorders at once - autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome and depression. Using this "set," the researchers were able to predict symptoms of mental disorders in children of the same age from the Generation R study conducted in the Netherlands.
Analysis of data from brain banks showed that the genes in the neurodevelopmental gene set tend to be most strongly expressed in the cerebellum. They are related to motor function, and their expression peaks during the period of intrauterine development. In addition, the researchers found that children with symptoms of psychiatric disorders tended to have a slightly smaller cerebellum. This, the scientists believe, is a consequence of the effect of these genes on the intrauterine development of the cerebellum.
"The fact that genetic risk factors for mental disorders in children begin to affect the brain so early - even before birth - means that measures that protect them from risk must also be taken earlier than previously thought. It's also important to note that while genes play an important role in the risk of mental illness, the early childhood environment is also critical - and potentially easier to change at this point," Joshua Roffman, M.D., and co-author of the study.
The researchers believe that a better understanding of the factors that influence brain development and risk of mental disorders will help develop the best strategy for prenatal care or psychosocial support. This will ensure stability in brain development and protect against the risk of mental disorders in young people.