Children with older fathers more likely to have brain disorders
POSTED September 1, 2011 - 17:27 | POSTED BY Anter Prakash Singh
Last edited by Simmy Mishra on September 1, 2011 - 18:03
In a new study, researchers have discovered trends of genetic mutations and disorders in offsprings from older fathers.
Study findings
The researchers found during the study conducted on mice that the offspring of older male mice were more likely to have mutation in their genes that corresponds with the human genes that are linked with autism, neuron-psychiatric or developmental disorders and schizophrenia.
Dr. John McGrath, senior author of the study said that as the genomes of mice are nearly 85 percent identical to that of the humans and that a “mechanism of action” links the known genetic clues with the higher risk of neurological disorders faced by the children having older fathers.
“Mice do not get schizophrenia or autism, but we have found previously that the offspring of older mice have subtle changes in brain structure and behavior.”
The study model
To conduct their study, the researchers bred younger and older male mice with same aged female mice. The researchers sequenced the genomes of the mice engaged in the study and also analyzed the brain structure of their 12 offspring. Researchers also conducted behavioral tests on these mice.
While examining the genomes of the mice, researchers found some new mutations in the baby mice that were not present in either of their parents. The offspring of older male mice had 6 new mutations that, when compared with the equivalent genes in humans, are linked to schizophrenia and autism in human.
The study also showed that in the offspring of younger male mice these genetic mutations were absent.
The researchers also conducted tests on the offspring mice to test their behaviour in water and upon hearing loud noises. Results showed that the mice having older fathers display certain unusual responses and physical differences in brain structure.
Study findings
After the research, Prof. McGrath and his colleagues claimed that older fathers developed a particular type of genetic mutation with age and they passed it to their offspring.
Earlier the researchers had reported that the children of men over the age of 50 are at double risk of getting autism or schizophrenia when compared with the children of men in their 20.
The findings of this study appeared in the journal ‘Translation Psychiatry’.
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