Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor

Principal Researcher
Visiting address: Nobels väg 12a, 17165 Solna
Postal address: C8 Medicinsk epidemiologi och biostatistik, C8 MEB I Taylor, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am a Principal Resaearcher in psychiatric epidemiology at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The main goal of my research is to improve health and wellbeing in autistic people through investigating co-occurring conditions in these individuals. I draw on methods from epidemiology, genetics, and psychology in my research. 

Research

  • Autism is a condition that affects social communication and is also characterized by several 'non-social' characteristics, such as sensory sensitivities. A large proportion of autistic people develop co-occurring conditions, which have a substantial impact on their quality of life. Around 70% have at least one psychiatric condition, such as anxiety disorders and depression. There are also elevated rates of certain somatic and neurological conditions in autistic people, such as epilepsy and cardiovascular conditions.

    The focus of my research is on these co-occurring conditions in autistic people, including both mental and physical health, as well as their interplay with each other. Currently, the main goals of my research are to: 1) map out the health needs of autistic people at different stages of their lives; 2) assess the extent to which genetic and environmental factors can explain these co-occurring conditions; and 3) identify specific factors that contribute to the development of co-occurring conditions in autistic people. This research largely involves drawing on nationwide Swedish registry data, however I also use surveys and mixed methods approaches in my research to gain a deeper level of understanding. 

    I initially trained in genetic epidemiology, and so I am also often involved in collaborations where genetically informative methods are used. For example, I collaborate on projects focusing on developmental language disorder, infant development, and pain sensitivity. 

Teaching

  • I am heavily involved in teaching at KI. I am a coordinator and examiner of dissertations in the medical program. I also co-lead a course in behavior genetics as part of the psychology program. I am also open to supervising students with similar interests to mine, and will normally list projects in the project database for the medical program. 

Articles

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Grants

  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2024 - 31 December 2026
    Autism is a common lifelong condition. Autistic individuals are at a high risk of somatic disorders, such as epilepsy, and are at an increased risk for premature mortality. A better understanding of co-occurring somatic disorders in autistic individuals is thus critical from the perspective of improving public health in marginalized groups, yet existing research is limited by a descriptive focus. Our overall aim is to identify risk factors for somatic disorders in autistic individuals. We will optimize Swedish registry data, including linkage with a large genotyped sample, using powerful longitudinal study designs. First, we will test whether genetic factors account for the association between autism and somatic disorders. We will triangulate three family-based designs, and utilize contemporary molecular genetic approaches to assess genetic links between autism and somatic disorders. Second, we will assess whether the psychosocial adversity faced by autistic individuals impact on their health using longitudinal cohort designs. Finally, real-world data will allow us to circumvent the challenges of conducting randomized controlled trials to examine the impact of psychotropic medication use on somatic health in autistic individuals. This project will guide the field of somatic health in autistic individuals from descriptive epidemiology towards a mechanistic understanding, which will ultimately lead to improved prevention, detection, and treatment of these disorders.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 November 2022 - 30 September 2026
    Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM aims to collect big data on functioning and psychiatric problems among children and youth with autism and ADHD as well as neurotypically developing youngsters aged 11 to 25 years to gain novel and reliable knowledge about:how individual strengths and weaknesses are related to mental problems.how social participation affects mental problems.the links between environmental facilitators and barriers and mental problems.Data and methodWHO’s international classification of functioning (ICF) is a system for mapping individual abilities and participation and how they unfold in a specific environment. ICF use is recommended by many international authorities incl. the National Swedish Board of Health and Welfare as a tool for describing functional status, assessing needs and for intervention planning. ICF is also recommended to support social and educational policy making. The competence center KIND at Karolinska Institutet has tailored and evaluated ICF for use in autism and ADHD. PSYH-STREAM will collect with surveys a large data set on mental problems (anxiety, depression, self-harm, somatic complaints, drug abuse, stress and burnout) and functioning (strengths and weaknesses, participation, hindering and facilitating factors in the environment) among 10,000 children and youth with and without autism or ADHD. Structural equation modeling and other statistical methods will be used to answer the research questions.Research problem and specific questionsPSYH-STREAM is a 4-year project, well internationally networked, led by KIND in collaboration other researchers, interest organsations, clinical units and authorities. Data is collected via the platform icfcoresets.se and a comprehensive recruitment strategy.RelevanceSociety today has limited awareness and knowledge of the multiple functional risk and protective factors of mental problems. Society also has little understanding of autism and ADHD, where the risk of mental health problems is particularly high. PSYH-STREAM will (i) lay a foundation for better understanding of the links between functioning and mental health among children and youth in general, and autism and ADHD, in particular, (ii) promote functioning-based care and support throughout society for young people with autism and ADHD, and (iii) create knowledge about how mental problems among young people can be prevented.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2022 - 31 December 2024
  • Causes and consequences of mental health challenges in autistic individuals during the transition to adulthood
    MQ: Transforming Mental Health
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2023

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