Examining the bidirectional association between emotion recognition and autistic traits using observational and genetic analyses

Abstract

BackgroundThere is mixed evidence for an association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and emotion recognition deficits. We sought to assess the bidirectionality of this association using phenotypic and genetic data in a large community sample. MethodsAnalyses were conducted in three stages. First, we examined the bidirectional association between ASD symptoms at age 16 years and emotion recognition task (ERT) responses at age 24 years (Study 1; N=3,579); and between Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy (DANVA) emotion recognition responses at age 8 years and ASD symptoms at age 16 years (Study 2; N=8,545). Next, we examined the association between these phenotypes and polygenic risk scores for these. Finally, the genetic correlation between ASD and ERT responses at age 24 was estimated. Analyses were conducted in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. ResultsASD symptoms at age 16 years were associated with later total correct responses on ERT in Study 1 ({beta}=-0.17; 95% CI: -0.26 to -0.08). However, there was no clear evidence of an association in Study 2 after adjusting for confounders ({beta}=-0.004; 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.02). We observed a negative association between ERT polygenic risk score and ASD symptoms ({beta}=-0.23; 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.13;). However, we found the opposite association between the ASD polygenic risk score and ERT ({beta}=0.40; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.70). We observed a moderate genetic correlation between ASD and ERT (r=0.30), but the statistical evidence for this was very weak. ConclusionWe found an observational association between poorer emotion recognition and increased ASD symptoms. Our genetic analyses revealed an association between ERT polygenic risk scores and ASD symptoms, which may suggest a shared genetic aetiology between these or a potential causal pathway. Our results may inform interventions targeting emotion recognition.