RT Journal A1 Sullivan PF, Magnusson C, Reichenberg A, et al T1 FAmily history of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as risk factors for autism JF Archives of General Psychiatry JO Archives of General Psychiatry YR 2012 FD November 1 VO 69 IS 11 SP 1099 OP 1103 DO 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2012.730 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2012.730 AB Context  The clinical and etiologic relation between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and schizophrenia is unclear. The degree to which these disorders share a basis in etiology has important implications for clinicians, researchers, and those affected by the disorders.Objective  To determine whether a family history of schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder is a risk factor for ASD.Design, Setting, and Participants  We conducted a case-control evaluation of histories of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder in first-degree relatives of probands in 3 samples—population registers in Sweden, Stockholm County (in Sweden), and Israel. Probands met criteria for ASD, and affection status of parents and siblings for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were established.Results  The presence of schizophrenia in parents was associated with an increased risk for ASD in a Swedish national cohort (odds ratio [OR], 2.9; 95% CI, 2.5-3.4) and a Stockholm County cohort (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0-4.1). Similarly, schizophrenia in a sibling was associated with an increased risk for ASD in a Swedish national cohort (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.0-3.2) and an Israeli conscription cohort (OR, 12.1; 95% CI, 4.5-32.0). Bipolar disorder showed a similar pattern of associations but of lesser magnitude.Conclusions  Findings from these 3 registers along with consistent findings from a similar study in Denmark suggest that ASD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder share common etiologic factors.