Ruchika Gajwani1, Lisa Dinkler2, Sebastian Lundström2,3, Paul Lichtenstein4, Christopher Gillberg1,2, Helen Minnis1; 1Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 2Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, 3Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health (CELAM), University of Gothenburg, 4Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet
Objectives: The aims of the study were to understand the relative importance of the contribution of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) to juvenile mania symptoms, and to investigate a model for the interaction between ACEs and NDDs that would explain why some adolescents at a greater risk of developing mania. Methods: We used a prospective sample from a nationwide birth cohort study, comprising 3,348 twins born in Sweden between 1998 and 2001. Parents reported on ACEs and NDDs at age 9 and on symptoms of mania at age 15. Results: Having ACEs or NDDs at age 9 significantly increased number of mania symptoms at age 15. NDDs seemed to have a slightly higher risk effect on mania symptoms than ACEs (boys/girls: d = 0.23/0.28), although this difference was not statistically significant. Children who have experienced both ACEs and NDDs are at double jeopardy for juvenile mania as they showed significantly more mania symptoms than children with ACEs-only (d = 0.48/1.40) and girls with NDDs-only (d = 1.03). Males with both exposures did not differ significantly in mania symptoms from males with NDDs-only (d = 0.19). Conclusions: The study suggests that apart from ACEs, NDDs are an at least equally important factor to consider in the development of severe mental disorder. Families of children presenting with ACEs and/or NDDs need increased support.
