B3804 - Is there a shared genetic aetiology between autism and asthma - 07/06/2021

B number: 
B3804
Principal applicant name: 
Dheeraj Rai | Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Christina Dardani, Alec McKinlay
Title of project: 
Is there a shared genetic aetiology between autism and asthma?
Proposal summary: 

Autism and asthma are two common but seemingly unrelated conditions. Autism is a chronic neurodevelopmental condition, characterised by difficulties in social communication as well as repetitive behaviours/restricted interests. On the contrary, asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterised by periods of wheezing, shortness of breath and chess tightness. Despite the distinct features, there is some evidence suggesting an increased prevalence of asthma in individuals with autism, while maternal history of asthma has been associated with autism in the offspring. The reasons underlying these observational associations are currently unknown. One possible explanation could be that there is a shared genetic aetiology between the two conditions. Testing this hypothesis will be an important first step towards understanding the reasons of their co-occurrence.

Impact of research: 
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 7 June, 2021
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 7 June, 2021
Keywords: 
Genetic epidemiology (including association studies and mendelian randomisation), Developmental disorders - autism, Statistical methods, Genetic epidemiology