@article {251, title = {The Associations between Callous-unemotional Traits and Symptoms of Conduct Problems, Hyperactivity and Emotional Problems: A Study of Adolescent Twins Screened for Neurodevelopmental Problems}, journal = {Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology}, year = {2018}, month = {May}, abstract = {

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (e.g., lack of empathy, lack of guilt, shallow affect) are associated with severe and persistent conduct problems in youth. There is evidence showing a substantial genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems. The etiological associations between CU traits and other psychopathological symptoms, including symptoms of hyperactivity and emotional problems (such as anxiety and depression symptoms), have been less explored. To examine the etiological associations between CU traits and symptoms of conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems separately through the use of a twin design. Participants were same-sex twin pairs (n{\th}inspace}={\th}inspace}426 twins; 42{\%} female; 43{\%} MZ; age{\th}inspace}={\th}inspace}15) drawn from the Child and Adolescents Twin Study in Sweden, a longitudinal study of twins born in Sweden. The sample was mainly composed of children who screenpositive on neurodevelopmental problems/mental health problems or at-risk children (i.e., screen-negative children considered to be genetically at-risk siblings). We used self-report measures of CU traits, conduct problems, hyperactivity and emotional problems. Model-fitting analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling. We found a strong positive genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems and a moderate genetic correlation between CU traits and hyperactivity. We also found a relatively modest, but significant negative genetic correlation between CU traits and emotional problems. Using a sample of adolescent twins screened for neurodevelopmental problems, we replicated previous findings that showed a strong genetic correlation between CU traits and conduct problems and we extended research by examining further the etiological associations between CU traits and symptoms of hyperactivity and emotional problems.

}, issn = {1573-2835}, doi = {10.1007/s10802-018-0439-1}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0439-1}, author = {Saunders, Marie Claire and Anckars{\"a}ter, Henrik and Lundstr{\"o}m, Sebastian and Hellner, Clara and Lichtenstein, Paul and Fontaine, Nathalie M. G.} } @article {252, title = {Associations Between Conduct Disorder, Neurodevelopmental Problems and Psychopathic Personality Traits in a Swedish Twin Youth Population}, journal = {Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment}, volume = {40}, year = {2018}, month = {Dec}, pages = {586{\textendash}592}, abstract = {

Previous research has found a complex relationship between psychopathic traits, neurodevelopmental problems (NDPs), and conduct disorder (CD) in children. This study explores associations between psychopathic traits, assessed with the Child Problematic Traits Inventory\–-Short Version (CPTI-SV), and CD in children with and without coexisting NDPs (i.e., attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) in a community-based sample of Swedish twins (n{\th}inspace}={\th}inspace}8762). Findings indicate weak to moderately strong correlations between psychopathic traits and CD, ADHD, and ASD, respectively. Furthermore, in univariable analyses, both psychopathic traits and NDPs displayed significant positive associations with being screened positive for CD, though only the grandiose-deceitful dimension of CPTI-SV and the ADHD domain concentration and attention deficits remained significantly associated with CD in a multivariable regression model. The results are relevant to screening and assessment in child and youth psychiatry, as a grandiose and deceitful interpersonal style may also be a valid sign of children at risk of developing CD.

}, issn = {1573-3505}, doi = {10.1007/s10862-018-9689-z}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-018-9689-z}, author = {Svensson, Olof and S{\"o}rman, Karolina and Durbeej, Natalie and Lichtenstein, Paul and Anckars{\"a}ter, Henrik and Kerekes, Nora and Nilsson, Thomas} } @article {253, title = {Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and the development of adolescent alcohol problems: A prospective, population-based study of Swedish twins}, journal = {American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics}, volume = {171}, year = {2016}, pages = {958-970}, abstract = {

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of problematic alcohol and other substance use in adolescence. This study used data from an ongoing, prospective, population-based twin study of Swedish children and adolescents to evaluate the extent to which the association between ADHD symptoms and alcohol problems reflects a unique source of genetic or environmental risk related to ADHD versus a broader predisposition to youth externalizing behavior. We used all available data from same-sex monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins on ADHD symptoms in childhood (age 9/12; N\ =\ 15,549) and alcohol problems in late adolescence (age 18; N\ =\ 2,564). Consistent with prior longitudinal studies, the phenotypic association between hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms and alcohol problems was small in magnitude, whereas the association for inattentive symptoms was even weaker. Additive genetic influences explained 99.8\% of the association between hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and alcohol problems. Furthermore, we found that the genetic risk specifically associated with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms was attenuated when estimated in the context of externalizing behavior liability during childhood, of which ADHD symptoms were specific expressions. In sensitivity analyses exploring hyperactivity in mid-adolescence, we found a similar pattern of genetic associations. These results are consistent with previous findings of genetically driven overlap in the etiology of ADHD and problematic alcohol use. At least some of this co-occurrence may result from a general predisposition to externalizing behaviors in youth. \© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

}, keywords = {ADHD, behavioral genetics, externalizing, neurodevelopmental problems, substance misuse}, doi = {10.1002/ajmg.b.32412}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajmg.b.32412}, author = {Quinn, Patrick D. and Erik Pettersson and Lundstr{\"o}m, Sebastian and Anckars{\"a}ter, Henrik and L{\r a}ngstr{\"o}m, Niklas and Gumpert, Clara Hellner and Henrik Larsson and Lichtenstein, Paul and D{\textquoteright}Onofrio, Brian M.} }