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The genetics, if any, of infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia

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Abstract

A critical examination of the data for and against genetic factors in early infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia is presented. The extreme rareness of both disorders made analysis difficult. No strong evidence exists implicating genetics in the development of childhood psychoses that begin before the age of 5. Family pedigree data fail to support psychogenic transmission because very few siblings of early onset cases are affected. Biological but not genetic etiological agents are more likely. Genetic factors are implicated in the development of psychoses that begin near pubescence and such factors appear to overlap with those for adult schizophrenia. Reevaluation of the minimum age of onset for adult-type schizophrenia is suggested.

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Reference note

  • Folstein, S., & Rutter, M.Infantile autism: A genetic study of 21 twin pairs. Paper read at the International Symposium on Autism: Reappraisal of Concepts and Treatment, St. Gallen, Switzerland, July 12–15, 1976.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, USA

    I. I. Gottesman

  2. Department of Psychology, McMaster University, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    D. R. Hanson

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  1. D. R. Hanson
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  2. I. I. Gottesman
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We wish to express our thanks to Drs. James Shields and Barbara Fish for their critical comments, many of which we accepted.

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Hanson, D.R., Gottesman, I.I. The genetics, if any, of infantile autism and childhood schizophrenia. J Autism Dev Disord 6, 209–234 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01543463

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