Advanced Grandparental Age as a Risk Factor for Autism

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00464477

Recruitment Status : Completed

First Posted : April 23, 2007

Last Update Posted : November 7, 2007

Sponsor:

Information provided by:

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The Division of Medical Genetics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is recruiting parents of children with a pervasive developmental disorder (including autism, autistic spectrum disorder, PDD-NOS, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and Rett syndrome) to participate in a study to help determine potential causes of the increasing prevalence of these disorders. The study is being conducted using an anonymous on-line survey available to parents through a secure link.

The study consists of approximately 90 questions about the affected child, siblings, parents, and grandparents, which will take roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. Several families will also be invited to participate in a phone interview. Both the survey and the phone interview are conducted using a self-designated code to protect anonymity and patient privacy. No identifying information such as name, date of birth, address, or phone number will be asked. Only questions regarding the year of birth of family members will be asked.

Condition or disease
Autistic Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Asperger Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Rett Syndrome

Detailed Description:

Autism is a genetically heterogeneous entity. Although numerous studies have demonstrated a strong genetic basis, no clear etiology has been identified to date. Recently, two studies have demonstrated an increased risk of autism in children born to fathers over the age of 40. However, given the large male-to-female predominance of autism, it is likely that new mutations on the X chromosome account for a significant number of affected cases. Due to the maternal origin of the X chromosome in males, we hypothesize that advanced maternal-grandpaternal age may also be a risk factor for autism. Precedence for this theory exists with other X-linked disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Rett syndrome. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that maternal psychiatric illness, but not paternal psychiatric illness, is more prevalent among parents of children with autism. Using anonymous surveys of families with autistic children, we seek to identify the ages of grandparents at the time the parents were born in order to determine if advanced maternal-grandpaternal age is associated with an increased risk for autism when adjusted for advanced maternal and paternal age. Additionally, we will seek out sister-pairs in order to identify any statistical significance between the ages of the maternal grandfather at delivery of each sister. If advanced maternal-grandpaternal age is, in fact, a risk factor, it would help direct molecular researchers towards genes on the X chromosome as potential etiologies for autism. Also, further study of potential mutagenic exposures in the environment of grandparents may help elucidate the reason for the increasing incidence of autism in recent decades.

Study Design


Study Type :	Observational
Actual Enrollment :	100 participants
Observational Model:	Case-Only
Time Perspective:	Retrospective
Official Title:	Advanced Grandparental Age as a Risk Factor for Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Study Start Date :	June 2007
Actual Study Completion Date :	October 2007

Resource links provided by the National Library of Medicine

Genetics Home Reference related topics: Rett syndrome Autism spectrum disorder

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center resources: Rett Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

U.S. FDA Resources

Groups and Cohorts

Outcome Measures

Eligibility Criteria

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:	Child, Adult, Older Adult
Sexes Eligible for Study:	All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No
Sampling Method:	Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with any pervasive developmental disorder.

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Individuals of any age with autism, autistic disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, PDD-NOS, Rett syndrome, or Childhood disintegrative disorder

Contacts and Locations

Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00464477

Locations


United States, Mississippi
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi, United States, 39216

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Investigators


Principal Investigator:	Omar Abdul-Rahman, MD	University of Mississippi Medical Center

More Information


ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00464477 History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers:	2007-0023
First Posted:	April 23, 2007 Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted:	November 7, 2007
Last Verified:	November 2007

Keywords provided by University of Mississippi Medical Center:


Autism Autistic disorder Pervasive developmental disorder	Asperger syndrome Childhood disintegrative disorder Rett syndrome

Additional relevant MeSH terms:


Rett Syndrome Disease Syndrome Autistic Disorder Developmental Disabilities Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Asperger Syndrome Pathologic Processes Neurodevelopmental Disorders	Mental Disorders Mental Retardation, X-Linked Intellectual Disability Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Nervous System Diseases Genetic Diseases, X-Linked Genetic Diseases, Inborn Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System

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