Autistic-like traits in young adults diagnosed with psychosis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Prevalence of autistic-like traits in young adults diagnosed with psychosis using parental autism interview.

• IRAS ID

  96282

• Contact name

  David Skuse

• Contact email

  d.skuse@ich.ucl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Institute of Child Health, UCL

• Research summary

  Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that begins in childhood and persists throughout life. It is characterised by difficulties in social interaction, communication and unusual behaviours. Schizophrenia is the commonest serious mental illness which affects thinking, feelings and behaviour. There is an overlap between the two conditions as seen in deficits manifested within interpersonal and cognitive domains. We hypothesized whether patients diagnosed with psychosis in adulthood had traits in childhood that in retrospect can be regarded as autistic-like. In order to test our hypothesis we propose to interview parents of young adults with early onset psychosis for autistic traits using the Developmental, Dimensional, Diagnostic (3di) [Skuse, et al (2004)] interview in order to establish history of social and communication difficulties.
  We will obtain IQ data for our clinical sample, performing a brief IQ test [Wechsler abbreviated scale of intelligence WASI, Wechsler, D. (1999)] where this data is not already available. The patient group will involve patients within the age range of 18- 35 years diagnosed with first episode psychosis referred to the Early Intervention service during the period between June 2013 to October 2013 within the borough of Lambeth and Southwark in South East London. We will compare the proposed study sample with two comparison groups which comprise of age and IQ matched control group of normal individuals and a group with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum disorder from an existing cohort of ASD clinic patients who have previously consented to be contacted for participation in research.

• REC name

  London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/LO/0645

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Jun 2013

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion