Study links five major mood, behavioral disorders

(CBS) – Researchers have discovered that five major psychiatric disorders share common genetic risk factors.

The largest ever genetic study of pyschiatric illness found autism, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia shared several risk factors.

In particular, researchers found two genes involved in the balance of calcium in the brain may play a role in some of the disorders.

They say the discovery could lead to new treatments.