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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Intellectual Disability | Research

Nonshared environmental factors in the aetiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions: a monozygotic co-twin control study

Authors: Johan Isaksson, Vladislav Ruchkin, Nikolas Aho, Karl Lundin Remnélius, Peter B. Marschik, Sven Bölte

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

A significant proportion of variation in likelihood of neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) has been attributed to nonshared environmental (NSE) factors, although it remains unclear which NSE factors pose specific risks for certain NDCs.

Methods

A monozygotic co-twin design was applied in a sample of 224 twins (mean age = 17.70 years, SD = 6.28) controlling for confounders such as genes and shared environment. Generalized estimating equation models were fitted, using perinatal and postnatal indications of NSEs as exposure, operationalized both as separate risk factors and as cumulative risk loads. Categorical and dimensional operationalizations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability and other NDCs were used as outcomes.

Results

Birth weight discordance was associated with dimensional autism and ADHD for the smaller twin, and medication during infancy was associated with dimensional autism. Among postnatal factors scarlet fever during early childhood was associated with lower IQ. Especially autism was associated with a greater cumulative perinatal or postnatal risk load.

Limitations

When exploring the associations between each condition and specific NSEs the risk of being statistically underpowered increases. Hence, we limit the reported findings on specific indicators of NSEs to trait levels and present descriptive data for categorical NDCs.

Conclusions

The findings support previous research by indicating an association between exposure to perinatal and postnatal risks and subsequent NDCs within twin pairs and suggest that autism may be especially linked to accumulative early environmental risks. The findings are potentially important for developmental outcomes prognoses and may inform targeted prevention and early interventions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Nonshared environmental factors in the aetiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions: a monozygotic co-twin control study
Authors
Johan Isaksson
Vladislav Ruchkin
Nikolas Aho
Karl Lundin Remnélius
Peter B. Marschik
Sven Bölte
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-022-00487-5

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