I have read the New York Times article In a Novel Theory of Mental Disorders, Parents’ Genes Are in Competition about the new theory articulated by Dr Crespi and Dr Badcock but I have to confess that I do not see what all the fuss is about. From what this humble layman can understood the "theory" is really little more than speculation, a simple reorganization of how we categorize or arrange various discrete disorders. It does not appear to be based on any novel research, evidence or observations.
I am not sure if it is properly called a theory but the NYT summarizes it as follows:
Their idea is, in broad outline, straightforward. Dr. Crespi and Dr. Badcock propose that an evolutionary tug of war between genes from the father’s sperm and the mother’s egg can, in effect, tip brain development in one of two ways. A strong bias toward the father pushes a developing brain along the autistic spectrum, toward a fascination with objects, patterns, mechanical systems, at the expense of social development. A bias toward the mother moves the growing brain along what the researchers call the psychotic spectrum, toward hypersensitivity to mood, their own and others’. This, according to the theory, increases a child’s risk of developing schizophrenia later on, as well as mood problems like bipolar disorder and depression.
In short: autism and schizophrenia represent opposite ends of a spectrum that includes most, if not all, psychiatric and developmental brain disorders. The theory has no use for psychiatry’s many separate categories for disorders, and it would give genetic findings an entirely new dimension.
What is meant by the NYT 's expressions "tug of war" and "bias"? How do these events occur? And why does the theory have no use for psychiatry's many separate categories for disorders? If persons now described as having schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder or autism consistently exhibit different behaviors and different ways of thinking or understanding the world why should the categories be disregarded?
One of the authors of the theory, Dr. Crespi, states that the implications of their theory are huge.
This humble father of a 12 year old boy with Autistic Disorder, and profound developmental delays, is not so sure.
One of the authors of the theory, Dr. Crespi, states that the implications of their theory are huge.
This humble father of a 12 year old boy with Autistic Disorder, and profound developmental delays, is not so sure.
autism
There is a legend in Eastern Europe saying that, while the Turks were launching their final assault upon the great city of Constantinople, the greek theologians of the day fiercely debated, behind the city walls, whether angels do have a sex and if so, which one is it?
ReplyDeleteAutism and schizophrenia may or may not be part of the same spectrum. This doesn't change the reality that many young children get diagnosed with autism every single year and for many of them the perspectives are not at all good.
That is a great legend marius.
ReplyDeleteI would not describe their new theory as autism and schizophrenia being part of the same spectrum. Instead, their theory is that "normal" is in the middle and autism is in one direction away from normal and schizophrenia is in the opposite direction away from normal. One implication is that persons with autism are unlikely to develop schizophrenia, even though as adults the outward appearance may seem similar. One step further might be that adults who originally were diagnosed as having schizophrenia but now claim they are on the autism spectrum might really have schizophrenia and not at all autism because they are diametrical according to this new theory. It is possible I seriously misunderstand their theory and its implications.
ReplyDeleteThe Mouse Trap had a similar brainwave a two years ago.
ReplyDeleteKudos to Sandy G!
coc
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reference back to the Mouse Trap comment from 2006.
That link is not working now. Did I screw something up? Sorry if so.
ReplyDelete