The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study – VIA 7 - a cohort study of 520 7-year-old children born of parents diagnosed with either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or neither of these two mental disorders

Abstract

BackgroundSevere mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are known to be diseases that to some extent, but not entirely can be understood genetically. The dominating hypothesis is that these disorders should be understood in a neurodevelopmental perspective where genes and environment as well as gene-environment-interactions contribute to the risk of developing the disease. We aim to analyse the influences of genetic risk and environmental factors in a population of 520 7-year-old children with either 0, 1 or 2 parents diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum psychosis or bipolar disorder on mental health and level of functioning. We hypothesize that a larger proportion of children growing up with an ill parent will display abnormal or delayed development, behavioural problems or psychiatric symptoms compared to the healthy controls.Methods/designWe are establishing a cohort of 520 7-year-old children and both their parents for a comprehensive investigation with main outcome measures being neurocognition, behaviour, psychopathology and neuromotor development of the child. Parents and children are examined with a comprehensive battery of instruments and are asked for genetic material (saliva or blood) for genetic analyses. The participants are recruited via Danish registers to ensure representativity. Data from registers concerning social status, birth complications, somatic illnesses and hospitalization are included in the database. Psychological and relational factors like emotional climate in the family, degree of stimulation and support in the home and attachment style are also investigated.DiscussionData collection started January 1, 2013, and is successfully ongoing. By Aug 2015 424 families are included. About 20 % of the invited families decline to participate, equal for all groups.

Home visits in the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study – VIA 7: assessment of the home environment of 508 7‐year‐old children born to parents diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

“…The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study – VIA7 – hereafter the VIA7 study – is a cohort study examining 522 children born to parents diagnosed with SZ or BP. The study design has been described in detail elsewhere . The cohort consists of 522 7‐year‐old children with either no, one or two parents diagnosed with SZ or BP (hereafter called the index parent).…”

Language deficits in specific language impairment, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder: An analysis of polygenic risk

“…The target sample was part of the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study—VIA7 [Thorup et al, ]. The children were selected either for having a parent with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder or as age‐matched controls (7 years of age).…”

Psychopathology in 7‐year‐old children with familial high risk of developing schizophrenia spectrum psychosis or bipolar disorder – The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study ‐ VIA 7, a population‐based cohort study

“…Data presented are part of the Danish High Risk and Resilience Study ‐ VIA 7, a nationwide population‐based cohort study of 522 seven‐year‐old FHR‐SZ children, FHR‐BP children and controls.…”