Interactions between genetic risk for 21 neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and sport activity on youth mental health

Melissa C Misztal; Earvin S Tio; Akshay Mohan; Daniel Felsky

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115550

Interactions between genetic risk for 21 neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and sport activity on youth mental health

Psychiatry Res. 2023 Dec:330:115550. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115550. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Authors

Melissa C Misztal¹, Earvin S Tio², Akshay Mohan³, Daniel Felsky⁴

Affiliations

¹ The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁴ The Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: Daniel.felsky@camh.ca.

PMID: 37973444
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115550

Abstract

Childhood is a sensitive period where behavioral disturbances, determined by genetics and environmental factors including sport activity, may emerge and impact risk of mental illness in adulthood. We aimed to determine if participation in sports can mitigate genetic risk for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in youth. We analyzed 4975 unrelated European youth (ages 9-10) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Our outcomes were eight Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores, measured annually. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) were calculated for 21 disorders, and sport frequency and type were summarized. PRSs and sport variables were tested for main effects and interactions against CBCL outcomes using linear models. Cross-sectionally, PRSs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and major depressive disorder were associated with increases in multiple CBCL outcomes. Participation in non-contact or team sports, as well as more frequent sport participation reduced all cross-sectional CBCL outcomes, whereas involvement in contact sports increased attention problems and rule-breaking behavior. Interactions revealed that more frequent exercise was significantly associated with less rule breaking behavior in individuals with high genetic risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. Associations with longitudinal CBCL outcomes demonstrated weaker effects. We highlight the importance of genetic context when considering sports as an intervention for early life behavioural problems.

Keywords: Behavioral problems; Genetic risk; Mental health; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Psychopathology; Sports; Youth.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / genetics
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depressive Disorder, Major*
Humans
Mental Disorders* / genetics
Mental Health
Risk Factors