The aim of this project is to examine the association and interaction between environmental and genetic factors and development over time in adults with ASD. We examine if and how genetic and environmental factors might contribute to the course of…
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Developmental disorders NEC
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
-ASD case/control status
-Autistic traits: Autistic traits are measured using validated questionnaires
(e.g. Autism Quotient Short (AQ-short))
-Self-reported comorbidities: Assessed comorbities include additional
diagnoses, mood problems and insomnia. Comorbities are measured using validated
questionnaires (e.g. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (HADS)) and self-report.
-Self-reported quality of life. Quality of life is measured using the Cantril
Self-Anchoring Scale: the Ladder and with validated, more in-depth quality of
life questionnaires. In addition, quality of life is measured with questions on
occupation history, and educational attainment.
Secondary outcome
n/a
Background summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with
approximately 2% prevalence. It is characterized by atypical social
communicative- and repetitive and restrictive behaviour. However, it is a
highly heterogenous disorder as well. Although a biological basis of ASD has
been suspected for a long time, only recently were genetic variants identified
that contribute to ASD, mood disorders, and sleeping problems. Considering the
highly heritable nature of ASD, including genetic factors in prediction models
might be crucial to gain a deep understanding of ASD aetiology. Environmental
factors are additionally promising in predicting the course of ASD. Yet the
current literature is limited, and focused on the causes of ASD, instead of the
effect of environmental and genetic factors on the course of ASD and quality of
life.
Study objective
The aim of this project is to examine the association and interaction between
environmental and genetic factors and development over time in adults with ASD.
We examine if and how genetic and environmental factors might contribute to the
course of core and comorbid ASD symptoms, and to quality of life in ASD.
Study design
Observational case-control and cohort study. Participants of the Dutch Autism
Register are invited to collect saliva, from which DNA will be isolated.
Genetic scores are calculated from genetic data. In addition, objective
environmental variables are requested from a publicly available database based
on the four digits of participants' zip code.
Study burden and risks
We will ask the 1000 NAR participants to provide a saliva sample to isolate DNA
from. We will invite participants by email. If participants agree, we will send
the saliva kit, including instruction, informed consent form, and return
envelope. The saliva sample, and informed consent can be returned with the
return envelope. Collecting saliva is risk free and takes approximately 5
minutes.
Van der Boechorststraat 7-9
Amsterdam 1081 BT
NL
Van der Boechorststraat 7-9
Amsterdam 1081 BT
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
ASD diagnosis
>= 16 years old
Able to provide consent for themselves
To ensure most of the data can be used in our analyses, the following
additional inclusion criteria apply:
Consent to use four digits of postal code
European ethnicity
Exclusion criteria
No ASD diagnosis
<16 years old
Non-European ancestry
No consent to use four digits of postal code
Not able to provide consent for themselves
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL79422.029.21 |