Mental health topic 2 = Gottesman Flashcards
Aim
To investigate in a large sample the probability of a child being diagnosed with schizophrenia/ bipolar if either or both parents had this disorder
Sample of Gottesman
Anyone in Denmark between ages 10-52 (as of Jan 2007) with a clear link to bio parents
Aka 2.7 million people and their parents
Sample method of Gottesman
Opportunity sample of anyone who happens to be 10-52 years old in Denmark in Jan 2007
Where was data was obtained in Gottesman that he analysed?
From psychiatric central register
4 groups of people in Gottesman
People who:
Both parents admitted to a psychiatric hospital diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar or depression
One parent admitted to a psychiatric hospital diagnosed with s,b,d
Neither admitted to a hospital ever
General public who no data available on parents psychiatric illness
Data about participants who were admitted with schizophrenia (if both parents had it vs neither parents had it)
27.3% of people admitted to hospital if both parents admitted with schizophrenia
0.86% admitted if neither parents admitted with disorder
Findings for genetic overlap between bipolar and schizophrenia
Significantly higher percent chance of being admitted for schizophrenia if both parents have bipolar and vice versa
Compared to if parents had neither disorder
Findings for admission of hospital for any psychiatric disorder if both parents admitted
If both parents admitted, significantly higher chance of child being admitted with any disorder than if no parents were admitted
44.2% admitted with ANY DISORDER if both parents schizophrenic
11.9% admitted with ANY DISORDER if neither admitted
Results for Findings for admission of hospital for any psychiatric disorder if both parents admitted
44.2% admitted with ANY DISORDER if both parents schizophrenic
11.9% admitted with ANY DISORDER if neither admitted
Findings for differences in the age fresh diagnoses of schizophrenia/ bipolar is made
At age 52, very few fresh diagnoses of schizophrenia are made
Whereas at 52, fresh diagnoses of bipolar are made
Overall conclusion
If both parents have been admitted to hospital with schizophrenia/bipolar the offspring are at super high risk of being admitted with a disorder themselves
Comments made on the applications of the findings
Be careful of misuse of genetic information for eugenics policies/ sterilisation like nazi germany
Info used for decisions on marriage, child bearing, adoption etc, so well informed counsellors for good of individual need to be available
Understanding of causes behind mental disorders with advances in genetics
