Elevated rates of substance use disorders in non-psychotic siblings of individuals with schizophrenia

Smith, Matthew J.; Barch, Deanna M.; Wolf, Timothy J.; Mamah, Daniel; Csernansky, John G.

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2008.07.015

« Previous Next »Schizophrenia Research
Volume 106, Issue 2 , Pages 294-299, December 2008

Elevated rates of substance use disorders in non-psychotic siblings of individuals with schizophrenia

Matthew J. Smith
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States
- Corresponding authors. Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 446 East Ontario Street, Suite 7-100, Chicago, IL 60611, United States. Tel.: +1 312 695 8173; fax: +1 312 695 6276.
Deanna M. Barch
- Washington University, Department of Psychiatry, United States
- Washington University, Department of Psychology, United States
- Washington University, Department of Radiology, United States
- Washington University, Conte Center for the Neuroscience of Mental Disorders, United States
Timothy J. Wolf
- Washington University, Program in Occupational Therapy, United States
Daniel Mamah
- Washington University, Department of Psychiatry, United States
- Washington University, Conte Center for the Neuroscience of Mental Disorders, United States
John G. Csernansky
- Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, United States

Received 8 April 2008; received in revised form 21 July 2008; accepted 28 July 2008. published online 09 September 2008.

Abstract

Background

Individuals with schizophrenia use psychoactive substances more frequently than the general population. The genetic vulnerability to develop schizophrenia may also increase risk for the development of substance use disorders. We examine this hypothesis by assessing the rates of substance use disorders and nicotine use in non-psychotic siblings of individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods

Participants included 59 individuals with DSM-IV schizophrenia, 53 of their siblings, 80 community controls, and 75 of their siblings. Statistical regression was used to assess the rates of substance use disorders and nicotine use in study participants while controlling for age, gender, lifetime diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder, and a family history of substance use disorder.

Results

Individuals with schizophrenia and their non-psychotic siblings reported higher rates of alcohol and cannabis use disorders and nicotine use when compared to siblings of comparison subjects.

Conclusions

The vulnerability to develop schizophrenia may also extend to substance use disorders. Future research is needed to investigate the neurobiological basis of increased substance use in non-psychotic siblings and the psychosocial mechanisms that may contribute to increased substance use in non-psychotic siblings.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Siblings, Alchohol, Nicotine, Cannabis, Substance abuse