Genetics and urban environments in the development of autistic spectrum traits (360G-Wellcome-109104_Z_15_A)

Cities are now home to more than half the world’s population and this number is expected to increase dramatically over the century. Previous research has shown that urban living is detrimental to mental health conditions such as autistic spectrum traits, so it is now more important than ever for us to understand the environmental causes of this increased risk and how our genetic background exacerbates or mitigates environmental influences. My PhD will use complementary methods to triangulate on these causes with data from UK and international population cohorts. The methods I will use include structural equation modelling of geocoded twin and DNA data, and Mendelian randomisation analyses to investigate causal influences. The results of my project may inform policy and health service provision for the next generation of urban planners.