# Genetic predisposition to digital device use and the risk of five psychiatric disorders

## TL;DR

This study finds genetic links between digital device use and psychiatric disorders like ADHD and autism, suggesting a causal relationship.

## Contribution

The study uses genetic data to establish causal links between digital device use and psychiatric disorders.

## Key findings

- Genetically increased mobile phone use and TV watching are linked to higher ADHD risk.
- Computer use is causally related to autism spectrum disorder risk.
- Playing computer games is associated with lower major depression disorder risk.

## Abstract

Psychiatric disorders were observationally related to digital device use, but causality and direction remained unclear. We aimed to uncover the causal links between digital device use and five psychiatric disorders risk utilizing the two-sample Mendelian Randomization method.

We obtained genetic variants related to digital device use from the UK Biobank’s genome-wide association study and psychiatric disorders data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. The primary analysis employed the inverse-variance weighted method, complemented by sensitivity analyses to determine heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

There were causal relationships between genetically increased mobile phone use [odds ratio (OR) = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31-2.33], more television watching (OR = 3.39, 95% CI: 2.64-4.35) and a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Genetically determined duration of computer use was also causally related to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (OR = 2.66, 95%CI: 1.82-3.88). Conversely, ADHD was significantly positively associated with playing computer games (β = 0.021, 95%CI: 0.010-0.032) and watching television (β = 0.030, 95%CI: 0.010-0.049). Also, a significant inverse associations of major depression disorder (MDD) with playing computer games was observed (β = 0.008, 95%CI: 0.003-0.013).

Our findings indicate potential causal links between genetic disposition to use digital devices and psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD, ASD, and MDD, highlighting the importance of digital device use in both prevention and management of these disorders.