Behavioral and psychiatric disorders in adult male carriers of fragile X.

OBJECTIVE

In the present study we examined the incidence of psychiatric and behavioral problems among male carriers of the fragile X gene.

METHOD

Retrospective data on carrier males were gathered using the family informant method. Each of 56 fragile X carrier women was interviewed about her father by an examiner blind to the father's carrier status. The interviewer administered measures of (1) behaviors related to DSM-III-R Axis I disorders, (2) adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behaviors, (3) parental bonding skills, and (4) abusive behaviors. The endorsements from 24 women with fragile X fathers were compared with endorsements from 32 women with nonfragile X fathers.

RESULTS

The results show a higher incidence of psychopathology among the fragile X males (relative to nonfragile X fathers) for behaviors related to adult ADHD, parental bonding, abuse; and particularly for alcohol abuse/dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the hypotheses that some "nonpenetrant" males may indeed be mildly affected carriers and that there is a broad spectrum of involvement among carrier males.