04 Nov Childhood Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Associated With Elevated Risk of Schizophrenia

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Henriette Thisted Horsdal PhD
Senior Researcher
Department of Economics and Business Economics
AARHUS University 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: Recent studies have suggested that exposure to nitrogen dioxide during childhood is associated with elevated risk of subsequently developing schizophrenia. We know that schizophrenia has a genetic component, and that individuals with higher genetic loading for schizophrenia tend to live in more densely urban areas. It is not known whether the increased risk associated with exposure to nitrogen dioxide during childhood is owing to a greater genetic liability among those exposed to highest nitrogen dioxide levels.

Exposure to nitrogen dioxide during childhood and genetic liability (as measured by a polygenic risk score) for schizophrenia were independently associated with increased schizophrenia risk. 

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Response: Childhood nitrogen dioxide exposure was associated with elevated risk of schizophrenia that was only slightly explained by a polygenic risk score for schizophrenia.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: As polygenic risk scores become more powerful, environmental epidemiology will be able to build more accurate, precise, and comprehensive models of the complex causal pathways between genes, environment, and health outcomes.

Any disclosures?

No 

Citation:

Horsdal HT, Agerbo E, McGrath JJ, et al. Association of Childhood Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide and Polygenic Risk Score for Schizophrenia With the Risk of Developing Schizophrenia. JAMA Netw Open. Published online November 01, 20192(11):e1914401. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14401

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Last Updated on November 4, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD