Psychosis and academic performance.
BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that psychosis genes might be associated with beneficial effects, explaining their high frequency in all human populations.


OBJECTIVE
To test the relationship between academic success and the incidence of psychotic disorders.


METHODS
The unusually complete demographic and scholastic records available in Iceland were used to locate academically accomplished individuals and assess the probability of previously identified patients with mental disorders and their relatives being among such groups.


RESULTS
Close relatives of successful students showed increased risks of psychosis. Individuals who subsequently developed psychosis and relatives of people with psychosis excelled in school performance, particularly in mathematics.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the hypothesis that stimulation associated with psychotic tendencies enhances performance in academic settings.
Karlsson
Jon L
JL
Institute of Genetics, Hraunteig 16, Reykjavik, Iceland. jonlk@interx.net
D000124:Achievement; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007360:Intelligence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*