Year: 1990
Type: article
Abstract: The articles in this special section of the Journal illustrate some of the approaches used to investigate the role of genetic factors in establishing the constitutional vulnerabilities associated with mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders of childhood onset. The reports focus on disorders for which genetic factors have either been convincingly demonstrated such as fragile-X syndrome, some forms of dyslexia, and Tourette 's syndrome, or where there is strong presumptive evidence, as in childhood affective disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. Three of the studies focus on efforts to define better the range of phenotypic expression (clinical presentations) associated with certain disorders. Piven et al. (1990) examine the range of abnormal phenotypes seen in the siblings of adult autistic subjects in an effort to define the of this syndrome. The report builds on the important work of Folstein and Rutter (1977) which provided a clear indication that genetic factors contribute to the development of autism and that lesser variants such as severe social dysfunction and cognitive impairments may be present in close family members. Historically, this report is also of special interest as it contains information concerning that sample of autistic subjects initially described by Kanner (1943) in his classic description of this syndrome. The report of Orvaschel (1990) focuses on children at high risk of developing an affective disorder and reminds us again of the etiological heterogeneity that underlies mood disorders. The study lends further evidence that some forms of recurrent affective disorder are associated with very early onset and are often present with a prominant admixture of anxiety symptoms (Leckman et aI., 1983; Weissman et aI.,
Authors: JAMES F. LECKMAN, DAVID L. PAULS
Institution: Yale University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,710
OpenAlex ID: W2054276575