Age at first birth in women is genetically associated with increased risk of schizophrenia

Prof. Paunio on PGC:n jäsenPrevious studies have shown an increased risk for mental health problems in children born to both younger and older parents compared to children of average-aged parents. We previously used a novel design to reveal a latent mechanism of genetic association between schizophrenia and age at first birth in women (AFB). Here, we use independent data from the UK Biobank (N = 38,892) to replicate the finding of an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women, and to estimate the genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in women stratified into younger and older groups. We find evidence for an association between predicted genetic risk of schizophrenia and AFB in women (P-value = 1.12E-05), and we show genetic heterogeneity between younger and older AFB groups (P-value = 3.45E-03). The genetic correlation between schizophrenia and AFB in the younger AFB group is -0.16 (SE = 0.04) while that between schizophrenia and AFB in the older AFB group is 0.14 (SE = 0.08). Our results suggest that early, and perhaps also late, age at first birth in women is associated with increased genetic risk for schizophrenia in the UK Biobank sample. These findings contribute new insights into factors contributing to the complex bio-social risk architecture underpinning the association between parental age and offspring mental health.Peer reviewe

Management learning and the corporate MBA : situated or individual?

The perceived failure of full-time MBAs to foster 'situated learning' has given rise to a new form of MBA programme, the Corporate MBA, which in theory, aims to correct this deficiency. The very rationale of CMBAs and their differentiating feature from open programme MBAs, is the development of situated learning. This article is based on an in-depth study of four CMBA programmes in three different types of business school: the university based, non-university based and the hybrid. Using qualitative data derived from 40 in-depth interviews and from open ended survey questions, we examine how the outcomes sought by individual participants, business schools and sponsoring organizations and the relationships that developed between these stakeholders either facilitate or hinder situated learning. The data indicate a lack of situated learning in two of the three cases studied. Explanations far the lack of learning focus primarily around the incompatible interests Of Participants, business schools and sponsoring organizations. Suggestions for future research are presented