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Familial co-aggregation and shared heritability between clinically diagnosed neurodevelopmental problems and

Yiran Li1, Yiling Zhou2, Melissa Vos1

  • 1Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.

Research Square
|August 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Familial factors contribute to the co-occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism with cardiometabolic conditions. Environmental influences appear more significant than genetics in this association.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism frequently co-occur with cardiometabolic issues.
  • The underlying mechanisms driving this comorbidity are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the familial aggregation and shared genetic liability between neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic conditions.
  • To estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations between these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide three-generation study utilizing population-based registers in the Netherlands.
  • Analysis of familial (co-)aggregation, heritabilities, and genetic correlations for ADHD, autism, and cardiometabolic conditions in a large cohort (n=15 million).

Main Results:

  • Significant familial aggregation and co-aggregation were observed for ADHD, autism, and cardiometabolic conditions, including between spouses.
  • Heritability estimates for ADHD and autism were moderate (h²=0.5), while cardiometabolic conditions showed low to moderate heritability (h²=0.1-0.4).
  • Modest genetic correlations (rg=-0.02-0.20) suggest limited shared genetic influence.

Conclusions:

  • A partly shared familial liability exists for neurodevelopmental and cardiometabolic conditions.
  • Environmental factors likely play a more substantial role in their co-occurrence than genetic factors.
  • Findings can guide future research into etiological mechanisms and preventive strategies.

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