Older dads linked to rise in mental illness

[lastlid]

"A genetic study has added to evidence that the increase in some mental disorders may be due to men having children later in life.

An Icelandic company found the number of genetic mutations in children was directly related to the age of their father when they were conceived.

One prominent researcher suggested young men should consider freezing their sperm if they wanted to have a family in later life.

The research is published in Nature.

According to Dr Kari Stefansson, of Decode Genetics, who led the research, the results show it is the age of men, rather than women, that is likely to have an effect on the health of the child.

"Society has been very focused on the age of the mother. But apart from [Down's Syndrome] it seems that disorders such as schizophrenia and autism are influenced by the age of the father and not the mother"."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19336438

[Leen]

hmmmmmmmmmmm,i dont think so....

[gWaPito]

"A genetic study has added to evidence that the increase in some mental disorders may be due to men having children later in life.

An Icelandic company found the number of genetic mutations in children was directly related to the age of their father when they were conceived.

One prominent researcher suggested young men should consider freezing their sperm if they wanted to have a family in later life.

The research is published in Nature.

According to Dr Kari Stefansson, of Decode Genetics, who led the research, the results show it is the age of men, rather than women, that is likely to have an effect on the health of the child.

"Society has been very focused on the age of the mother. But apart from [Down's Syndrome] it seems that disorders such as schizophrenia and autism are influenced by the age of the father and not the mother"."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19336438

Goodness Lastlid...you dont half pick them

I'll read it later...cheers

[Trefor]

I read a summary on another news channel. There appears to be a rise, but the overall risk remains very very low. Typical sensationalist reporting.

[gWaPito]

I read a summary on another news channel. There appears to be a rise, but the overall risk remains very very low. Typical sensationalist reporting.

I wholeheartedly agree, Trefor.

Actually I think there's more danger being born to parents whose never worked and dont intend to work....no matter what the parents ages are.

[grahamw48]

Well, nice that I can pass something on.

[lastlid]

1 - 0 to the ladies eh?

[grahamw48]

I wonder if Viagra affects anything ?

[gWaPito]

"A genetic study has added to evidence that the increase in some mental disorders may be due to men having children later in life.

An Icelandic company found the number of genetic mutations in children was directly related to the age of their father when they were conceived.

One prominent researcher suggested young men should consider freezing their sperm if they wanted to have a family in later life.

The research is published in Nature.

According to Dr Kari Stefansson, of Decode Genetics, who led the research, the results show it is the age of men, rather than women, that is likely to have an effect on the health of the child.

"Society has been very focused on the age of the mother. But apart from [Down's Syndrome] it seems that disorders such as schizophrenia and autism are influenced by the age of the father and not the mother"."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19336438

A Darren Griffin, genetics professor at the university of Kent, said older fathers should not panic as the risk is still small......there are three BILLION letters in the human DNA code and the number of mutations (rouge) found was only in the dozens....while the risk from older mothers was '' far more potent and measurable''.

[Arthur Little]

"A genetic study has added to evidence that the increase in some mental disorders may be due to men having children later in life."

... as Victor Meldrew would say: "I don't believe it!"

[grahamw48]

They're out to get us !

[gWaPito]

Two pronged attack from the jaffas and the impotent

[Arthur Little]

I wonder if Viagra affects anything ?

Hmm ... Viagra ... short for viagrandad, perhaps? ... maybe hard to determine!

[grahamw48]

Doesn't really affect me these days Arthur.

[Doc Alan]

The study published in “ Nature “ confirms what was suspected long before the human genome could be sequenced – that whereas a woman’s eggs are formed early on ( while she is still in her mother’s womb ), sperm are made continuously throughout life. Each division of cells producing sperm brings a risk of mutation.
• The ” sensationalist “ reporting by the BBC does need to be put in context. This was a genetic analysis of 78 trios of father, mother, and child, who are still alive. The research team looked for mutations in the child that were not present in either parent. Fathers passed on nearly four times as many mutations as mothers. The numbers of new mutations being passed on increased with paternal age. ( Drugs such as “ Viagra “ have many side effects, but causing mutations is not one that is recognised ).
• Most mutations have little effect. Possibly 10% are damaging, and a smaller proportion are beneficial – that’s natural selection / evolution. Older fathers and mutations may be linked to conditions such as autism and schizophrenia because the brain requires many genes for development. Even if these uncommon disorders increase in frequency, most children born to older fathers are still going to be healthy.
• In Iceland, where the study was carried out, and countries such as the UK, if the findings are confirmed, any negative effects of extra mutations due to increasing age of fathers at conception are likely to be balanced by positive effects of modern life such as better nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation, and better medical care. In the Philippines, where health of mums and kids is already a cause for concern (http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....ippines-and-UK ), fathers of any age should have more important things to worry about than their contribution to mutations in their children.
• Already some women – for example having cancer-related gynaecological surgery – have eggs frozen before their operations. While there is some evidence now that offspring of older fathers have an increased risk of genetic disease, not many will feel the need to have their sperm frozen while they’re young, in case they find a willing partner in their old(er) age.

[Terpe]

Nice work Alan
I'm so glad you still find the time and motivation to produce and present such interesting and informative posts.

Great stuff!
Still hope for me yet

BTW, welcome back and so glad to hear you enjoyed a wonderful holiday.

[gWaPito]

Excellent post Doc Alan...I echo what Terpe has said and greatly appreciate your input.

I remember you saying you had something to do with genetics in Edinburgh.

Thanks again Alan

Btw...you state the mutations will be balanced out by our modern living standards.....I remember when I had my first children in the early 80's...I'll tell you without shame we were dirt poor in those early years...no way could I afford then what we can give now and that includes throw away nappies!...my kids were always poorly....not the case now....infact the opposite ....how lucky we are

[webclinician]

Another sensational interpretation of research.

Up to now, doctors still don't know what exactly causes schizophrenia nor autism. Rather than age of father, family history carries greater risk. Combine it with substance misuse then you have a recipe for mental disorder.

Suggesting freezing sperm to reduce risk of mental illness?????? Only an idle mind can suggest this and a stupid one to actually carry it out.

[grahamw48]

Limiting pro-creation to responsible adults might serve a better purpose.

[gWaPito]

Another sensational interpretation of research.

Up to now, doctors still don't know what exactly causes schizophrenia nor autism. Rather than age of father, family history carries greater risk. Combine it with substance misuse then you have a recipe for mental disorder.

Suggesting freezing sperm to reduce risk of mental illness?????? Only an idle mind can suggest this and a stupid one to actually carry it out.

Absolutely!.really, these news papers should show more responsibility in what they print...I wonder how many couples have been put off having children because of reading that rubbish

[grahamw48]

This sort of thing is beginning to remind me of the MMR vaccination scare.

Fortunately my boy had all his jabs before that broke.

I don't think he's had a days illness in his life so far....touch wood.

Oh, I forgot...except for Chicken Pox.

[gWaPito]

Limiting pro-creation to responsible adults might serve a better purpose.

Oh...I like that ' pro creation '

[gWaPito]

This sort of thing is beginning to remind me of the MMR vaccination scare.

Fortunately my boy had all his jabs before that broke.

I don't think he's had a days illness in his life so far....touch wood.

Yeah...now its the old man injection scare

[grahamw48]

I think that's the right word.
I do have a habit of making them up.

[Arthur Little]

Yeah...now its the old man injection scare

Eh? ... what's all this about 's "pricks"? !

[Doc Alan]

I appreciate the compliments from some members, and understand the ( healthy ) cynicism of others . If you have the time, interest and motivation, it’s good to read original articles, rather than what and how the media decide to report. This isn’t easy when it costs £ 22 to read in “ Nature “ ( http://www.nature.com/nature/journal...ture11396.html
). The significance of the study was full genome sequencing of the people involved.

• I’m no psychiatrist, but I’m well aware of the uncertainty about causes of autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ). As with so many illnesses, it’s likely both genetics and environment play a role. A number of genes are associated with ASD, and there may be abnormal levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin. ASD could result from the disruption of normal brain development early in fetal development caused by abnormal genes.



• Similarly several factors interact to make people more or less likely to develop schizophrenia.
It tends to run in families, but no single gene is responsible. Probably various combinations of genes make people more susceptible. There may be slight differences in the structure of their brains or small changes in the distribution or number of brain cells – not easy for pathologists like me to identify.
Drugs altering levels of neurotransmitters – such as serotonin and dopamine - in the brain may relieve some symptoms of schizophrenia. Illicit drugs may trigger symptoms of schizophrenia.

• Unlike the Philippines, there is a trend towards later childbearing – older mothers and fathers - in many countries including Iceland ( where the genetic study was carried out ) and UK. We know there are risks associated with older maternal age ( preterm labour, foetal abnormalities, and cardiovascular effects ). Despite that, there is emerging evidence of improved health and development for children – NOT reported widely in the media. This includes better protection from ill health through completed immunisations, better language development and fewer social / emotional difficulties (http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5116 ).

[Steve.r]

Well, i think like gWapito we are proud of our new offspring. I am 45, so not 'old' but any mutations my genes have passed on will make my son an individual. He is strong, fit and healthy and in my eyes a beautiful boy. I would say i am reasonably healthy, I eat well, have no health problems my brain is active although I could exercise more. I really dont think I will worry about this report.

I thank you for your substantial reviews of this subject Alan, you always give an educated and focussed view on these sensationalised reports. Great posts.

[Rhose]

[I]"A genetic study has added to evidence that the increase in some mental disorders may be due to men having children later in life.

My husband opinion about this: '' they will change their mind after a week.''
The only reaction I can give is to because he doesn't want to believe..

[Arthur Little]

Welcome back, Alan ... and thank you so much for another well-balanced approach to a genetic study that, rightly or wrongly, many male members of a mature age undoubtedly feared may - or may not - impact on their relationships with younger ladies. Once again, we are grateful for your reassurances.

Research into the fields of Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome have long been of specific interest to my daughter, Fiona ... who, as I believe you already know, practised as a Speech & Language Therapist based at Ellon Health Centre in Aberdeenshire for 15 years ... prior to relinquishing her career (albeit temporarily) in order to devote herself to full time motherhood.

[grahamw48]

My paternal grandmother had her last (perfectly healthy) child when she was 49, so grandpa must have been getting on a bit too.