title: Psychopathology among offspring of parents with schizophrenia: relationship to premorbid impairments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A broad range of psychopathology, including externalizing disorders is seen in offspring at genetic risk for schizophrenia. However, it is unclear whether such psychopathology may underlie a higher predisposition to the premorbid antecedents of schizophrenia. We examined the prevalence and correlates of psychopathology in an ongoing study of offspring genetically at risk for schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy five consenting high risk offspring (HR: offspring, age 15.68+/-3.27 years; male/female 34/41) and 82 matched comparison subjects (40 males and 42 females; age 15.92+/-3.0 years) participated in this study. Diagnoses were ascertained using structured psychiatric interviews and consensus meetings, including all available clinical information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty (60%) of the HR offspring had one or more lifetime diagnosis of axis I psychiatric disorder. HR subjects with axis I psychopathology had significantly more soft neurological signs, poorer premorbid adjustment, and higher schizotypy scores as measured by Chapman psychosis proneness scales. Among those with psychopathology, HR subjects with externalizing disorders showed the most abnormal scores in schizotypy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial proportion of HR offspring of parents with schizophrenia manifest a broad range of childhood psychiatric disorders. Psychopathology, especially externalizing disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may represent a subgroup with an increased risk for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. This possibility needs to be examined by prospective follow-up studies, and would be of considerable importance to early diagnosis and intervention efforts in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201, St Antoine Blvd., Detroit, MI 48201, USA. mkeshava@med.wayne.edu
authors.forename: Matcheri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshavan
authors.forename: Debra M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Montrose
authors.forename: Rajaprabhakaran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajarethinam
authors.forename: Vaibhav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diwadkar
authors.forename: Konasale
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010641:Phenotype; D011599:Psychopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology