First-degree Relatives Of Persons Research Articles

Cognitive impairment in 'non-user' first-degree relatives of persons with cannabis dependence syndrome: A pilot, endophenotype study.

Cannabis use disorders are global emerging problem nowadays, with high prevalence and morbidity. Cognitive impairments, and also corresponding genetic vulnerability, has been fairly replicated in individuals with cannabis dependence. However, there are few studies that assess cognitive functioning as an endophenotype or a trait marker for cannabis dependence. While the primary objective of this study was to assess the endophenotype pattern of cognitive dysfunction in cannabis dependence, assessing the association between the degree of cognitive functioning, and their socio-demographicand clinical variables in the cannabis dependence patients and their first-degree relatives was the secondary objective. We compared cognitive functioning across three groups- patients with cannabis dependence syndrome, their 'non-user' first-degree relatives and healthy controls, with 30 participants in each group. Five cognitive domains- attention and concentration, verbal fluency, memory, visuospatial ability and executive functions were assessed. We assessed for endophenotype pattern of statistical significance in pairwise analyses of Kruskal-Wallis test, which was corrected for multiple comparisons. Subsequently, correlation analysis to assess association of cognitive impairment with socio-demographic and clinical variables was conducted. Although impairment in attention and executive functions also was seen in patients with cannabis dependence, endophenotype pattern of statistical significance in pairwise analyses, with impairment in first-degree relatives too, was seen in all sub-scores of verbal fluency and verbal memory. None of the correlations were significant. 'Non-user' first-degree relatives of patients with cannabis dependence too show significant cognitive impairment. Verbal fluency and verbal memory are possible endophenotypes or trait markers for cannabis dependence syndrome.

Family history of endometriosis in first-degree relatives: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To determine the overall odds of diagnosing endometriosis in first-degree relatives of persons with endometriosis compared with those without endometriosis through systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence.

Prevalence of esophageal squamous dysplasia in relatives of patients with esophageal cancer in Southwestern Kenya

BackgroundEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its asymptomatic precursor lesion, esophageal squamous dysplasia (ESD), are common in East Africa. It is unknown whether family history of esophageal cancer is a risk factor for both ESD and ESCC in Africa, and whether family members of affected persons should be screened. MethodsWe recruited 296 asymptomatic adult first-degree relatives of ESCC patients residing in southwestern Kenya. Participants completed questionnaires and underwent endoscopy with Lugol’s iodine staining and biopsy to determine the prevalence of ESD. Prevalence comparisons were made with a prior population-based cohort from the same catchment area who also underwent Lugol’s chromoendoscopy. ResultsMean age was 40.7 years, compared to 62.7 years in the prior population study. The overall prevalence of ESD/ESCC among first-degree relatives was 14.7%, comparable to the background population prevalence of 14.4%, and this comparability remained even after adjusting for the different age distributions of the studies. Post-primary education was the only measured variable that was associated with a decreased risk of ESD/ESCC (adjusted OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.83). There was heterogeneity in the ESD prevalence across families, even after adjustments for varying age and other measured factors. ConclusionsThe prevalence of esophageal squamous dysplasia among first-degree relatives of persons with ESCC was similar to that of the background population of southwestern Kenya; however, there was heterogeneity in ESD prevalence between families, suggesting other genetic or environmental factors may influence family prevalence. Further study of families with a high prevalence of ESD or ESCC is justified.

Study of the importance of family screening of glaucoma: identifying the target

Aim: To describe the value and results of family screening of glaucoma patients in the glaucoma clinic of a tertiary center in the Garhwal Himalayan region over a period of one year. Material and Method: 300 patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examination and glaucoma examination including IOP measurement by Goldman applanation tonometry, binocular dilated fundoscopy with +90D Volk lens, gonioscopy using the 4 mirror Volk goniolens. Results: 300 persons detected with primary glaucoma whose families were invited to participate in the family screening initiative, there were 114 first degree relatives who attended the screening with a response rate of 32%. The relatives of probands ranged in age from 18 to 89 years with 56.8% being males. 198 were diagnosed as primary angle-closure suspects, 8 as angle-closure,238 as glaucoma suspects and 132 subjects (11.6%) had definite glaucoma. Most affected subjects were in 40-70 years. The angle-closure disease was found more in females. Conclusion: Study also found a higher prevalence of glaucoma in siblings; especially the angle-closure entity. Targeting first degree relatives of persons with primary glaucoma may offer a relatively inexpensive way of detecting glaucoma and in the identification of suspects at risk of glaucoma who may be advocated closer monitoring.

Beta-cell function and insulin resistance among First-Degree relatives of persons with type 2 diabetes in a Northwestern Nigerian Population

Background and Aims: Pancreatic beta-cell deficit and insulin resistance (IR) form two major factors in the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to assess beta-cell function and IR among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of persons with type 2 diabetes in a Northwestern Nigerian population. Other objectives include assessing the relationships among HOMA-%B, HOMA-IR, plasma glucose levels, and some obesity indices and to determine whether beta cell function, IR, and some obesity indices are independent determinants of glucose intolerance in the studied population. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 individuals and 200 controls were recruited through cluster sampling from their respective communities after due consent. The relevant biodata was documented and appropriate examinations including anthropometric measurements were carried out. Oral glucose tolerance test was carried out and fasting plasma insulin levels were also measured. IR and beta-cell function were calculated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method. Results: Mean HOMA-IR was higher while HOMA-% B lower among FDRs compared to controls. Significant independent determinants of glucose intolerance with odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) included age (OR = 1.9, CI 1.9–2.0, P = 0.002), body mass index (OR = 1.9, CI 1.8–2.0, P = 0.032), waist circumference (OR = 2.0, CI 1.9–2.0, P = 0.043), waist-to-hip ratio (OR = 1.1, CI 1.0–15.7, P = 0.022), HOMA-IR (OR = 3.0, CI 2.3–3.3, P

Study of biochemical and oxidative stress markers in the first-degree relatives of persons with type 2 diabetes stratified by glucose tolerance test

Background and Aim: The present study has been attempted to compare the relative tolerance to glucose in first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients and estimate the anthropometric, biochemical parameters and markers of oxidative stress in subjects with the different degree of glucose tolerance. Methodology: The study consisted of 34 subjects aged between 20-45 years, with established family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, who were subjected to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Those without any family history of diabetes served as controls. Results: Out of the 34 subjects, 5 subjects exhibited high tolerance, 18 showed a moderate degree of glucose tolerance and 9 subjects were with low glucose tolerance. Only 2 subjects were categorized as highly intolerant after OGTT. In almost all subjects with glucose tolerance test, the peak plasma glucose level was recorded at 60 minutes after oral glucose administration. In the present study subjects, with a high degree of glucose intolerance showed significantly higher levels of triglyceride (171±9.8**) mg/dl and VLDL levels (34.2±1.9**) mg/dl. A significant increase in the TBARS levels (2.9±0.053**) µg/ml was recorded in subjects with a high degree of glucose intolerance. A corresponding decrease in the reduced glutathione (1.6±2.2) mg/ml and superoxide dismutase activity (0.7±0.08) units/min/mg protein was also recorded. Conclusion: The study revealed disturbance in the lipid parameters and antioxidant defenses in the first degree relative of diabetic patients even before the establishment of disease.

Screening First Degree Relatives of Persons with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in India.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To report the results of screening first degree relatives of persons identified with primary open angle glaucoma in a tertiary eye hospital glaucoma services.Design: A cross-sectional study of first degree relatives of persons with primary open angle glaucoma.Materials and methods: First degree relatives of patients identified with primary open angle glaucoma were invited to participate in a screening evaluation in the base hospital to detect glaucoma. All participating individuals had comprehensive eye examination including vision screening, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, frequency doubling peri-metry and dilated fundus examination. Persons with definite and suspected glaucoma were subject to full threshold automated perimetry.Results: A 514 first degree relatives of 346 persons with primary open angle glaucoma, of 4972 individuals who were invited to participate attended the screening examination (Response Rate 7%). Fifty-five percent of those who attended were males and mean age of participants was 56.8 years. Sixty-eight relatives (13.3% of those screened) were detected to have definite glaucoma. Sixty percent of those detected with definite glaucoma were siblings. Fifteen percent of siblings, 4% of off-springs and 20% of parents who attended the screening examination had definite open angle glaucoma.Conclusion: Prevalence of open angle glaucoma amongst first degree relatives of persons with glaucoma is higher than in the general population as reported in previous studies. Significant barriers, however, exist in the uptake of eye care services among relatives of persons known to have primary open angle glaucoma.How to cite this article: Rajendrababu S, Gupta N, Vijayakumar B, Kumaragurupari R, Krishnadas SR. Screening First Degree Relatives of Persons with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in India. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2014;8(3):107-112.

Responses to stress in patients with psychotic disorders compared to persons with varying levels of vulnerability to psychosis, persons with depression and healthy controls

Background and ObjectivesAn experimental design was used to test whether self-reported, psychophysiological and symptomatic stress-responses increase as a function of the underlying vulnerability to psychosis as proposed by vulnerability-stress-models. MethodsStress-responses of participants with psychotic disorders (PSY, n = 35) were compared to those of participants with attenuated positive symptoms (AS, n = 29), first-degree relatives of persons with psychotic disorders (REL, n = 26), healthy controls (HC, n = 28) and controls with depression (DEP, n = 30). Using a repeated measures design, participants were assigned to a noise stressor, a social stressor and a no stress condition in random order. Stress-responses were assessed via self-report, salivary cortisol levels, heart rate and skin conductance levels. State-paranoia and depression were assessed with clinical scales. ResultsPSY reported to be significantly more stressed than HC, AS and REL across all conditions which went along with increased heart rate and decreased overall cortisol release. In contrast, AS showed elevated levels of cortisol. PSY showed a stronger response of self-reported stress to the noise condition compared to the no stress condition than HC, but no stronger response than the other samples. Furthermore, the stressors did not trigger stronger psychophysiological responses or symptom-increases in PSY. LimitationsThe social stressor was brief and not individualized and did not have an effect on cortisol. ConclusionsThe findings support the notion that subjective stress-responsiveness increases with vulnerability, but not the assumption that symptoms arise directly as a function of stress and vulnerability. Also, the generally high levels of arousal seem to be more relevant to psychosis than the responsiveness to specific stressors.

Can Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Improve Cognitive Functioning in Adults with Schizophrenia?

Cognitive impairment is nearly ubiquitous in schizophrenia. First-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia often show similar but milder deficits. Current methods for the treatment of schizophrenia are often ineffective in cognitive remediation. Since transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance cognitive functioning in healthy adults, it might provide a viable option to enhance cognition in schizophrenia. We sought to explore whether tDCS can be tolerated by persons with schizophrenia and potentially improve their cognitive functioning. We examined the effects of anodal versus cathodal tDCS on working memory and other cognitive tasks in five outpatients with schizophrenia and six first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia. Each participant completed tasks thought to be mediated by the prefrontal cortex during two 30-minute sessions of tDCS to the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Anodal stimulation over the left DLPFC improved performance relative to cathodal stimulation on measures of working memory and aspects of verbal fluency relevant to word retrieval. The patient group showed differential changes in novel design production without alteration of overall productivity, suggesting that tDCS might be capable of altering self-monitoring and executive control. All participants tolerated tDCS well. None withdrew from the study or experienced any adverse reaction. We conclude that adults with schizophrenia can tolerate tDCS while engaging in cognitive tasks and that tDCS can alter their performance.

Abstract 165: Predicting risk of colorectal cancer depending on tumor pathology features for first-degree relatives of persons with colorectal cancer.

Abstract Background: We hypothesised that colorectal cancer (CRC) risk for relatives of persons diagnosed with CRC could be predicted by tumor molecular pathology features. Methods: We studied a cohort of 5200 first-degree relatives (2550 women) of 792 probands with an incident invasive CRC who were recruited to the Australasian Colorectal Cancer Family Registry via population cancer registries. We excluded 32 families that were known to be Lynch syndrome. For the probands, a standardised tumor morphology review had been conducted; BRAF V600E mutation testing had been performed; and the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status was determined by microsatellite instability and/or immunohistochemistry for MMR proteins. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) by comparing the number of CRCs observed in relatives with the number expected based on Australian incidence rates specific for age and sex. We also compared CRC risks for relatives of probands depending on the presence or absence of specific tumor pathology features. Results: We observed 191 CRCs in relatives at mean age at diagnosis of 62.7 (SD 14.3) years and SIR was 2.14 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.85-2.48). Compared with the general population, an increased risk of CRC was observed for relatives of probands with MMR-proficient CRC (SIR 1.98, 95% CI 1.71-2.32), MMR-deficient CRC (SIR 3.60, 95% CI 2.20-6.23), rectal cancer (SIR 1.71, 95% CI 1.36-2.18), distal colon cancer (SIR 2.12, 95% CI 1.63-2.82) and proximal colon cancer (SIR 2.90, 95%CI 2.27-3.75). An increased risk of CRC was observed for relatives of probands with proximal colon cancer compared with rectal cancer (hazard ratio, HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.21-2.39, p=0.002) and for relatives of probands with MMR-deficient CRC compared with MMR-proficient CRC (HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.09-3.12, p=0.02). There was no evidence of increased risk of CRC for relatives of probands with other pathology features of CRC (tumor grade, margin, peritumoral lymphocytes, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, Crohn-like reactions, venous invasion, BRAF mutation and contiguous adenoma) compared with those without these features. Conclusions: First-degree relatives of persons with MMR-deficient CRC (not caused by Lynch syndrome) have a higher risk of CRC compared with first-degree relatives of persons with MMR-proficient CRC. Citation Format: Aung K. Win, Daniel D. Buchanan, Christophe Rosty, Graham G. Giles, John L. Hopper, Mark A. Jenkins. Predicting risk of colorectal cancer depending on tumor pathology features for first-degree relatives of persons with colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 165. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-165

An examination of auditory processing and affective prosody in relatives of patients with auditory hallucinations

Research on auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) indicates that AVH schizophrenia patients show greater abnormalities on tasks requiring recognition of affective prosody (AP) than non-AVH patients. Detecting AP requires accurate perception of manipulations in pitch, amplitude and duration. Schizophrenia patients with AVHs also experience difficulty detecting these acoustic manipulations; with a number of theorists speculating that difficulties in pitch, amplitude and duration discrimination underlie AP abnormalities. This study examined whether both AP and these aspects of auditory processing are also impaired in first degree relatives of persons with AVHs. It also examined whether pitch, amplitude and duration discrimination were related to AP, and to hallucination proneness. Unaffected relatives of AVH schizophrenia patients (N = 19) and matched healthy controls (N = 33) were compared using tone discrimination tasks, an AP task, and clinical measures. Relatives were slower at identifying emotions on the AP task (p = 0.002), with secondary analysis showing this was especially so for happy (p = 0.014) and neutral (p = 0.001) sentences. There was a significant interaction effect for pitch between tone deviation level and group (p = 0.019), and relatives performed worse than controls on amplitude discrimination and duration discrimination. AP performance for happy and neutral sentences was significantly correlated with amplitude perception. Lastly, AVH proneness in the entire sample was significantly correlated with pitch discrimination (r = 0.44) and pitch perception was shown to predict AVH proneness in the sample (p = 0.005). These results suggest basic impairments in auditory processing are present in relatives of AVH patients; they potentially underlie processing speed in AP tasks, and predict AVH proneness. This indicates auditory processing deficits may be a core feature of AVHs in schizophrenia, and are worthy of further study as a potential endophenotype for AVHs.

Abstract 19364: Coronary Plaque Characteristics by Age and Sex in Healthy Individuals with a Family History of Early-Onset Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Although calcified coronary plaque (CCP) increases with age and is more prevalent in males, the extent to which noncalcified plaque (NCP) is present across the age range of both sexes is unknown. This has important implications for primary prevention guidelines, particularly in high risk populations, since NCP is a putative immediate precursor for coronary artery disease (CAD) events. We thus examined total coronary plaque (TCP), CCP, and NCP distributions in healthy male and female first degree relatives of persons with early-onset CAD. Methods: Participants in GeneSTAR (N=561), mean age 51.5 ± 10.8 years, range 30 to 75 years, 58% female, were screened for coronary plaque using 256 multidetector dual-source CT angiography. Segmental plaque volumes (mm3) were quantified using an automated well-validated proprietary method and summed for CCP and NCP. TCP was calculated from CCP+NCP. Results: Males had a higher prevalence of any coronary plaque compared to females, (58.1% vs 36.7% respectively, p<0.0001); plaque prevalence increased significantly with age (Table). However, females more often had only NCP than males, (17.6% vs 8.9%, p= 0.11). CCP and NCP volumes both increased with age in both sexes, but NCP accounted for more than half of TPV in both sexes at all ages; NCP represented more than 80% of TPV in subjects <55 years of age. Conclusion: The majority of TPV was noncalcified plaque in this healthy high risk population, particularly in females and in males <55 years old. Thus, conditioning aggressive primary prevention on traditional coronary calcium scoring algorithms, may obviate appropriate risk reduction interventions in young persons with a family history of early onset-CAD. Table: Sex-specific noncalcified and calcified coronary plaque volumes by age group (median [IQR])

A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study on the first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia

In this study, resting state fMRI images and BOLD signals were recorded from 13 first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients and 13 healthy controls. The data were analyzed with the ReHo approach after realignment, registration, and normalization in statistical parametric mapping 2 (SPM2). A two-sample t-test was used to analyze the ReHo differences between first-degree relatives and healthy controls in a voxel by voxel manner. A combined threshold of p < 0.005 and number of voxels >5 was designated as statistically significant. To evaluate cognitive deficits in first-degree relatives, attention/vigilance and verbal/visual memory were measured. Significant impairments in attention were observed in first-degree relatives compared to healthy controls. Significant abnormalities in ReHo were observed in resting brain in first-degree relatives. Decreased ReHo was found to be distributed over the bilateral middle frontal, middle temporal, cingulate gyrus and cerebellar tonsil; the left inferior frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; the right superior frontal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Increased ReHo was found to be distributed in the right precuneus and superior temporal gyrus. These changes in ReHo suggest abnormality in the resting state brain function of first-degree relatives of schizophrenic patients and may be early signs for the development of schizophrenia.

Executive function impairment in first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis of controlled studies

A meta-analysis of past research evaluated the relationship between deficits in executive functioning among unaffected first-degree relatives of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST), a reliable measurement of cognition and abstract thinking, was examined as the dependent variable. Unaffected first-degree relatives perform worse than controls on two important dimensions of the WCST. They achieve significantly less categories and significantly more perseverative errors.

First-degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes: insulin resistance and enterovirus infection are associated with different patterns of islet cell autoimmunity

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Previous studies indicate an association between detection of Enterovirus (EV) genome in blood and the clinical onset of T1D. Insulin resistance can also represent a risk factor for progression to clinically overt T1D. This study aimed at evaluating whether there is association between both EV infection and insulin resistance with islet autoantibodies in first-degree relatives of persons with type 1 diabetes. We collected sera from 94 first-degree relatives with (32) or without (64) islet cell antibodies (ICA) from the Cuban T1D prediction program. Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Antibodies to GAD65 and IA-2 were determined by radioimmunoassay. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). EV-RNA was detected in serum using a highly sensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction method. The occurrence of EV-RNA was higher in ICA-positive relatives than in ICA-negative ones [15.6% (5/32) vs. 1.6% (1/62), P=0.016]. GAD65 autoantibodies were more frequent in subjects with insulin resistance [34.5% (10/29) vs. 13.9% (9/65), P=0.028] as defined by the HOMA-IR value. GAD65 autoantibodies also positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r.bis=0.28, P<0.01). IA-2 autoantibodies did correlate neither with EV-RNA nor with insulin resistance. There was no association between the presence of EV-RNA and insulin resistance. Our data suggest that enterovirus infection and insulin resistance are two independent events associated with ICA and GAD65 autoantibodies, respectively. These observations support the multifactorial nature of T1D.

An fMRI study of working memory in persons with bipolar disorder or at genetic risk for bipolar disorder

First-degree relatives of persons with bipolar disorders (BDs) carry elevated risk for the illness, and manifest deficits in attention and memory (possible "endophenotypes"). However, there is only one published functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of candidate endophenotypes in BD. We used fMRI to examine brain function in BD and in first-degree relatives performing a 2-back working memory (WM) task, and correlated brain activity with mood measures taken at the scanning session. Subjects (age 32-46) were 19 persons with BD, 18 unmedicated, non-psychotic first-degree relatives (RELs) of persons with BD, and 19 matched controls, ascertained from a long-term follow-up of a prenatal cohort study in New England. fMRI signal during 2-back and 0-back WM tasks was measured on a Siemens 1.5T MR scanner. fMRI data were analyzed using SPM-2. Persons with BD and RELs failed to suppress activation in the left anterior insula (BA 13) during WM, whereas controls suppressed activation. Compared to controls, RELs also failed to suppress activation in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and superior parietal cortex. Controls and RELs exhibited greater activation than BD individuals in the left frontopolar cortex (BA 10) during WM. Results remained significant after controlling for confounders except for mild attenuation of OFC findings. Significant correlations between brain activity, mood, and WM suggest that activity in WM circuits is affected by activity in emotion-regulatory circuits. Persons with BD and RELs exhibit altered activity in the frontopolar cortex and insula, which may represent biomarkers of genetic risk for BD.

Correction for Whitfield-Gabrieli et al., Hyperactivity and hyperconnectivity of the default network in schizophrenia and in first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia

Correction for Whitfield-Gabrieli et al., Hyperactivity and hyperconnectivity of the default network in schizophrenia and in first-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia

An fMRI study of working memory in first-degree unaffected relatives of schizophrenia patients

Identifying intermediate phenotypes of genetically complex psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia is important. First-degree relatives of persons with schizophrenia have increased genetic risk for the disorder and tend to show deficits on working memory (WM) tasks. An open question is the relationship between such behavioral endophenotypes and the corresponding brain activation patterns revealed during functional imaging. We measured task performance during a Sternberg WM task and used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess whether 23 non-affected first-degree relatives showed altered performance and functional activation compared to 43 matched healthy controls. We predicted that a significant proportion of unaffected first-degree relatives would show either aberrant task performance and/or abnormal related fMRI blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) patterns. While task performance in the relatives was not different than that of controls they were significantly slower in responding to probes., Schizophrenia relatives displayed reduced activation, most markedly in bilateral dorsolateral/ventrolateral (DLPFC/VLPFC) prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex when encoding stimuli and in bilateral DLPFC and parietal areas during response selection. Additionally, fMRI differences in both conditions were modulated by load, with a parametric increase in between-group differences with load in several key regions during encoding and an opposite effect during response selection.

Reduced neural synchronization of gamma-band MEG oscillations in first-degree relatives of children with autism

BackgroundGamma-band oscillations recorded from human electrophysiological recordings, which may be associated with perceptual binding and neuronal connectivity, have been shown to be altered in people with autism. Transient auditory gamma-band responses, however, have not yet been investigated in autism or in the first-degree relatives of persons with the autism.MethodsWe measured transient evoked and induced magnetic gamma-band power and inter-trial phase-locking consistency in the magnetoencephalographic recordings of 16 parents of children with autism, 11 adults with autism and 16 control participants. Source space projection was used to separate left and right hemisphere transient gamma-band measures of power and phase-locking.ResultsInduced gamma-power at 40 Hz was significantly higher in the parent and autism groups than in controls, while evoked gamma-band power was reduced compared to controls. The phase-locking factor, a measure of phase consistency of neuronal responses with external stimuli, was significantly lower in the subjects with autism and the autism parent group, potentially explaining the difference between the evoked and induced power results.ConclusionThese findings, especially in first degree relatives, suggest that gamma-band phase consistency and changes in induced versus induced power may be potentially useful endophenotypes for autism, particularly given emerging molecular mechanisms concerning the generation of gamma-band signals.

Family and Genetic Influences on Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Objectives: This review focuses on genetic and other family influences on the development of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and chronic widespread pain [CWP]. We first assess the evidence concerning aggregation of pain sensitivity and psychological distress among first-degree relatives of persons with FMS, as well as the validity of the affective spectrum disorder hypothesis. We also examine several prospective, population-based studies of factors that may contribute to the onset of CWP. We conclude by reviewing current evidence concerning the relationships between specific candidate genes, the onset of FMS or other affective spectrum disorders, and pain sensitivity among persons with these conditions.