Mutation clue to disorders in older dads' offspring

Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) researchers have discovered a genetic mechanism that may explain why the children of older fathers are more likely to develop schizophrenia or autism. These results offered the first experimental demonstration that the offspring of older males have an increased risk of de novo (new) CNVs. QBI Professor John McGrath said “While we've known for some time that the children of older fathers are more likely to develop schizophrenia or autism, this study provides the first evidence of the biological mechanism that may be responsible. ” Compared to the offspring of fathers in their early twenties, the offspring of fathers aged 50 years or over have a two-fold increased risk of these neurodevelopmental disorders.