Neurocognition and its association with adverse childhood experiences and familial risk of mental illness.

Environmental factors such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may affect neurocognition, an endophenotype for several mental illnesses. This study examines the effect of ACEs on neurocognitive performance in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with severe mental illness to determine whether familial risk has a moderating effect on the relationship between ACEs and neurocognition. Unaffected FDRs from multiplex families with severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or alcohol use disorder) (n = 324) and healthy controls (with no familial risk) (n = 188) underwent neurocognitive tests for processing speed, new learning, working memory and Theory of Mind. ACEs were measured using the WHO ACE-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). Regression models were done to predict each neurocognitive domain by the effect of familial risk, ACE-IQ Score and their interaction (familial risk*ACE-IQ score). The main effect of familial risk predicted poor performance in all domains of neurocognition (p < 0.01), and the interaction had a negative association with global neurocognition (ß = -0.093, p = 0.009), processing speed (ß = -0.109, p = 0.003) and working memory (ß = -0.092, p = 0.01). Among the ACEs sub-domains, only maltreatment (specifically the main effect of physical neglect and the interaction effect of sexual abuse with familial risk) predicted poorer neurocognition. In FDRs of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, only the main effects of familial risk were significantly associated with poorer neurocognition. We conclude that there is a relationship between ACEs (especially maltreatment) and neurocognitive functioning, which is moderated by the familial risk of mental illnesses. Genetic/familial vulnerability may have a stronger association with neurocognition in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Influence of Shared Environments in Development of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Scoping Review.

Background: The influence of shared genetic vulnerability is well-known in the development of alcohol use disorder. However, there is a dearth of studies on shared environments. Hence, the present study aimed to ascertain the influence of shared environments in the development of alcohol use disorder. Aim: To examine the influence of adverse childhood experiences, parental bonding, and temperament in the development of alcohol use disorder. Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed. Studies were identified through search engines such as PubMed, Embase, and PsychInfo, CINAHL databases. Peer-reviewed articles in English published during 2000 - 2021 were included for the review. Results: About 47 articles were considered for the scoping review. Shared environmental factors such as adverse childhood experiences or childhood trauma within 18 years of life, novelty, adventure-seeking, cyclothymia, and immediate need for gratification contribute to alcohol use disorder development. Positive parenting is associated with a lower incidence of AUD. Conclusion: Understanding the influence of shared environments and providing tailor-made psycho-social interventions would reduce the risk and prevent alcohol use disorder development..