Agencies
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Agencies | Published : September 21, 2016 6:07 PM IST
Individuals who have a brother or sister with mental disorders may be at an increased risk of developing the condition, a study has warned. The study found that having a sibling with schizophrenia increases a person's risk of developing the condition by ten times. They also have six to eight times increased chance of suffering from schizoaffective disorder -- symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder -- and seven to 20 times greater risk of suffering from bipolar disorder than the general population. If a brother or sister suffers from bipolar disorder, then their siblings have four times greater chance of suffering from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric disorders. This is a large study which allows us to put meaningful figures on the risks of developing mental disorders after they have arisen in a brother or sister, said lead researcher Mark Weiser, Professor at the Tel Aviv University in Israel. These results are important clinically, as they encourage mental health workers to be aware of the increased risk of psychiatric disorders in siblings of patients, the researchers said.
The study can also be used by scientists studying the genetic underpinnings of mental disorders, as they indicate that the same genes might be associated with increased risk for various psychiatric disorders, Weiser noted. In the study, the team examined the rates of mental disorders in the families of 6,111 Israeli patients who had been hospitalised with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. They compared them to over 74,000 controls, age and gender matched controls. The findings were presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) congress in Vienna, recently. Read more about Your siblings increase your risk of behavioral problems
Source: IANS
Image source: Shutterstock
Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.