Retinal function and preclinical risk traits in children and adolescents at genetic risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

The millions of children having a parent affected by a major psychiatric disorder may carry, as vulnerability indicators, electroretinographic (ERG) anomalies resembling those seen in adult patients. Our goal was to determine whether ERG anomalies in high-risk youths are related to clinical precurso...

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Published in:Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry 2022-01, Vol.112, p.110432-110432, Article 110432
Main Authors: Maziade, M., Bureau, A., Jomphe, V., Gagné, A.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder - genetics
Child
Child of Impaired Parents - psychology
Children at risk of mentally ill parents
Depressive Disorder, Major - genetics
Electroretinography
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Major depressive disorder
Male
Prodromal Symptoms
Retina
Retina - physiopathology
Risk Factors
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - genetics
Young Adult
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Summary:The millions of children having a parent affected by a major psychiatric disorder may carry, as vulnerability indicators, electroretinographic (ERG) anomalies resembling those seen in adult patients. Our goal was to determine whether ERG anomalies in high-risk youths are related to clinical precursors of a later transition to illness such as the presence of childhood DSM-IV diagnoses, bouts of psychotic like experiences, lower global IQ and social functioning deterioration. The 99 youths (53% males) aged 5–27 years had one parent affected by schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. They were assessed with a best-estimate DSM-IV diagnoses based on review of medical charts and a structured interview (K-SADS or SCID), global IQ (WISC-V and WAIS-IV), global functioning (GAF scale) and psychotic-like experiences using interviews and a review of medical records. The electroretinogram of rods and cones was recorded. Cone Vmax latency was longer in offspring having psychotic-like experiences, respective adjusted mean [SE] ms of 31.59 [0.27] and of 30.96 [0.14]; P = 0.018). The cone Vmax delayed latency was associated with a lower global IQ (R = −0.18; P = 0.045) and with deteriorated global functioning (GAF; R = −0.25; P = 0.008). In contrast, rods had decreased b-wave amplitude only in offspring with a non-psychotic non-affective DSM diagnoses, respective means [SE] μV of 170.18 [4.90] and of 184.01 [6.12]; P = 0.044). ERG may mark neurodevelopmental pathways leading to adult illness and have an effect on early pre-clinical traits, giving clues to clinicians for the surveillance of sibling differences in high-risk families. •Retinal dysfunctions may underlie the “childhood risk syndrome”•A rod decreased response is associated with the presence of a DSM diagnoses.•Delay in cone latency are related to early preclinical signs of vulnerability precursors in genetically at risk youths.
ISSN:0278-5846
1878-4216
DOI:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110432