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Autism and schizophrenia share genetic similarities, but also have differences. While they may have similar origins during fetal development, studies have shown that people with autism have one copy of certain genes while those with schizophrenia have too many copies. Additionally, a theory suggests that father-supplied genes may be linked to autism while mother-supplied genes may be linked to schizophrenia. This approach to research could lead to new models of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
Autism and schizophrenia have often been linked in one form or another, from the early days of diagnosis to cutting-edge genetic studies. Until the late 1970s, autistic children were misdiagnosed as having childhood schizophrenia. Although later diagnostic methods have established a clear difference between autism and schizophrenia, genetic studies have established a link between the two, finding that they may have similar origins during fetal development.
The exact relationship between autism and schizophrenia is still debated, but genetic studies have shed new light on the link between the two conditions. Mapping of the entire human genome, completed in 2003, has greatly facilitated the detection of similar genes and mutations between autistic and schizophrenic patients. This has prompted some researchers to believe that autism and schizophrenia share a common origin. Studies done in 2008 and 2009 found that patients with autism and schizophrenia share certain clusters of genes and similar DNA fingerprints. Other studies have found that patients with both conditions had unusual brain growth in their childhood.
Through the study of the human genome, scientists have discovered that people with schizophrenia and those with autism share an irregularity in the same genes. People without these disorders have two copies of these particular genes. Autistic people only have one copy, and people with schizophrenia have too many copies. So while the origins of fetal development might be similar, this study showed that the two conditions might be genetically quite opposite from each other.
Another study conducted in 2008 indicated that schizophrenia and autism — and the way the brain develops — may be linked to father-supplied genes versus mother-supplied genes. The theory holds that a shift to the father’s side would involve a disposition towards mechanical objects, patterns, and processes, with a known lack of social development; this would mean that the child may be more likely to have autism or similar conditions such as Asperger’s syndrome. On the other hand, a genetic inclination towards the maternal side would place emphasis on emotions and moods, the extremes of which can lead to schizophrenia but also to bipolar disorders, depression and anxiety.
In essence, if the theory is correct, this places autism and schizophrenia at opposite ends of the spectrum of neurological disorders. Their approach, which broadens the scope of research beyond that of mere genetics, has prompted other researchers to look at brain disorders from new angles. New studies based on this theory could very well bring with them an entirely new model of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.
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