title: Behavioral and psychiatric disorders in adult male carriers of fragile X.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study we examined the incidence of psychiatric and behavioral problems among male carriers of the fragile X gene.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data on carrier males were gathered using the family informant method. Each of 56 fragile X carrier women was interviewed about her father by an examiner blind to the father's carrier status. The interviewer administered measures of (1) behaviors related to DSM-III-R Axis I disorders, (2) adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviors, (3) parental bonding skills, and (4) abusive behaviors. The endorsements from 24 women with fragile X fathers were compared with endorsements from 32 women with nonfragile X fathers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show a higher incidence of psychopathology among the fragile X males (relative to nonfragile X fathers) for behaviors related to adult ADHD, parental bonding, abuse; and particularly for alcohol abuse/dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the hypotheses that some "nonpenetrant" males may indeed be mildly affected carriers and that there is a broad spectrum of involvement among carrier males.
authors.affiliation: Child Development Unit, Children's Hospital, Denver, CO 80218.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mazzocco
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hagerman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies