Sven Bölte

Sven Bölte

Full Professor
Telephone: +46852482867
Visiting address: Gävlegatan 22B, plan 8, 11330 Stockholm
Postal address: K6 Kvinnors och barns hälsa, K6 Neuropsykiatri Bölte, 171 77 Stockholm
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About me

  • I am Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Science since 2010 at KI. Additionally, I direct the Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at KI (KIND), and head the Neuropsychiatry Division at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health. On the clinical side I work as a senior consultant in clinical psychology and specialist in neuropsychology at child and adolescent psychiatry Stockholm.

    I have diverse national and international commissions, for example I am visiting professor at the Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, research associate at Curtin University in Perth (Autism Research Group), founder of the Scientific Society Autism Spectrum, editor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, and editor in chief of the Scandinavian Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology. I am international ADOS-2 and ADI-R trainer, board member of Autism Sweden and Education Science at the Swedish Research Council. I have received several recognitions, such as the ”Life Watch Nordiska Priset”, ”Årets Ljus” (Society Attention), ”Fellow of the International Society for Autism Research” (INSAR), and Psynkpriset GNET (Swedish Municipalities and Regions).

    I have published more than 600 original articles, reviews, book chapters, assessment and intervention tools in the field of autism spectrum, ADHD, other neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health, which have been cited more than 40, 000 times (H-index 99).

    Education
    Full Prof., 2010, Karolinska Institutet
    Senior lecturer/Docent/Assoc. Prof., 2009, Charles Univ Heidelberg
    Senior lecturer/Docent/Assoc. Prof. 2004, Goethe Univ Frankfurt
    Post-doc 2000-2004, Goethe Univ Frankfurt
    Clinical Neuropsychologist, 2003, Society of Neurosychology
    PhD (summa cum laude), 2000, Goethe Univ Frankfurt
    Practitioner for psychotherapy, 1999
    Master (psychology) (with distinction), 1997, Goethe Univ Frankfurt

    Academic honours, awards and prizes
    2011, LifeWatch Nordic Research Award for Autism Research Achievements
    2015, Autism Speaks top 10 autism research paper
    2016, SFARI spectrum news top 10 autism research paper
    2016, Autism CRC (Australia), Achievement in Autism Research
    2017, National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Top 2 paper of year
    2018, Fellow of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR)
    2018, ‘Light of the Year’ Award, National Neuropsychiatry Society Attention
    2020, 'Psynkpriset GNET' (Swedish Municipalities and Regions)
    2022, No 6 of world's autism experts (Expertscape)
    2025, No 5 of Sweden's most infuencial psychologists (Research.com)

Research

  • My research area since more than 30 years is predominently neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorder and ADHD. I work broadly in these areas from basic biomedical research on etiologies to applied research of intervention, quality assurance and implementation, although I would describe cognition/neuropsychology, diagnostic instruments, assessment and psychometrics as my core interests.

Articles

All other publications

Grants

  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 January 2024 - 31 December 2026
    Research problem and specific questions: There is a critical need to develop easily accessible preventive e-health solutions promoting mental health among young adults, as mental illness and suicide are growing problems in this group (also known as Generation Z). Paradoxically, preventive efforts are sparse, even though 75% of those experiencing long-term mental illness reporting onset before the age of 24. At its heart this project will be co-produced with young adults (18-29 years old), aiming to promote mental health and prevent mental illness, by empowering young adults with mental health literacy (MHL), i.e., the knowledge and skills to manage their own mental health and recognize and respond to stress and mental health concerns within themselves and their peers.Data and method: The situational analysis undertaken in phase 1 will be co-produced with young adults and stakeholders, underpinning the co-designing of a digital e-health solution for MHL including peer support tailored to the needs of young adults. In phase 2, the tailored e-health solution will be assessed for feasibility and pilot tested, using a pre/post-test design and interviews enabling understanding of the intervention’s preliminary efficacy, acceptability (design, content, and usability), demand, practicality, and adaptation.Societal relevance and utilisation: With this project we want to meet young adults on their own arena by co- producing an innovative digital e-health solution to promote mental health and prevent mental illness aligning with the goal of increasing digitalization in Swedish healthcare and social services. Using technology, the program will have the potential to reach many young adults in Sweden and mitigate the onset of mental health problems during the transition to adulthood.Plan for project realization: The Principal investigator (PI) will have the leading role (20% FTE) and will together with a doctoral student (100%) coordinate the operative processes of the project. Phase 1 will be performed months 1-23 and phase 2 and dissemination of results months 24-36. These essential phases will establish the groundwork for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) before the digital solution can be fully implemented.  This line of research will thus contribute to a strong evidence-base, underpinning the future roll out of the digital e-health solution to for example youth centers, municipality young adult social services, and university student health services.
  • 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 November 2022 - 30 September 2026
    Research problem / specific questions Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders associated with life-long struggles and high societal costs affecting about 2% of all children and adults. A large majority of young people with autism have comorbid mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which are potentially treatable. However, these treatments are rarely available because they require access to highly specialised clinics. The families of children with ASD demand more access to treatment for these comorbidities. Access to specialist treatment could be improved dramatically if routine aspects of treatment could be digitalised. The overarching purpose of this project is to co-develop and evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a novel digital intervention for OCD in young people with autism, and to follow through with a nationwide implementation of the intervention.  Data and method We propose to partner with patients, families, and clinicians to develop a novel digital intervention and evaluate its efficacy and cost-effectiveness in a fully powered multicentric (Stockholm, Lund, Gothenburg) randomised controlled trial (N=220), comparing our novel digital intervention with an active comparator. Next, we will implement the intervention in the national Stöd och Behandling digital platform and will conduct a real-world evaluation of the intervention in the same three clinics.  Plan for project realisation The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers with a track record in child and adolescent psychiatry, clinical trials, digital interventions, biostatistics, health economics, and implementation science. The team also includes service users and patient organisations that will contribute with their lived experience, as well as health professionals.  RelevanceThis project originated as a direct response to a demand from families who have children with ASD. This will be the first properly powered trial of a digital intervention for a comorbid psychiatric disorder in autistic children anywhere, and the first to conduct a health economic evaluation. This will also be a rare example of national implementation of a digital intervention for youth with mental health problems and of a formal evaluation of the implementation. If successful, this project could represent a new model for the development and implementation of digital interventions for a broader range of comorbidities in youth with ASD.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 November 2022 - 30 September 2026
    Research problem and specific questionsYouth has been described as a life phase characterised by instability and challenges with potential implications for mental health. Yet, there is a lack of studies of the prevalence of psychiatric conditions among youth in Sweden. Accordingly, there is also limited knowledge about the degree to which young persons with psychiatric conditions receive care. This project follows a Swedish cohort of young people from age 15, and the aim is to study depression and anxiety at ages 20-23 years and to examine treatment gaps for these conditions. Another aim is to analyse differences in prevalence and in treatment gaps by gender, socioeconomic position and parental country of birth. Additionally, we will study how different coping strategies are related to depression and anxiety and to the treatment gaps for these conditions.Data and methodData are drawn from the Swedish national cohort study Futura01, combining survey and register data. The baseline study in 2017 was a school survey with students in grade 9 (t1, 15-16 y
    n=5549, response rate 82%). The participants were followed up with a web survey in 2019 (t2, 17-18 y
    n=4161). In spring 2022, the participants are followed up again with a web survey (t3, 20-21 y). In t3, the self-report instrument Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) which screens for depression and anxiety is included. We will also carry out a fourth data collection (t4, 22-23 y) in 2024. All survey waves include measures on mental health, stress, social support and health behaviours. The statistical methods to be used include various multivariate techniques adapted to panel data.Plan for project realisationThe project will build on survey data from t1, t2, t3 and t4 and linked register information on specialist psychiatric care, prescriptions of medication, and sociodemographic characteristics. For parts of the data we also intend to link information on primary care from regional registers.RelevanceThe project will generate knowledge about the prevalence of depression and anxiety among young people in Sweden and about the unmet care needs for these conditions. More specifically, the project will inform about differences in prevalence and in treatment gaps between societal groups, as well as about the role of different coping strategies. Such knowledge is relevant for preventive work and early interventions, e.g., “first line” care which is a relatively new type of care that is still under development.
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 July 2021 - 30 June 2024
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2021 - 31 December 2024
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022
  • Swedish Research Council for Health Working Life and Welfare
    1 December 2018 - 30 November 2021
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2018 - 31 December 2021
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 December 2017 - 31 December 2021
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2017 - 31 December 2019
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2016 - 31 December 2019
  • Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
    1 January 2016 - 31 December 2020
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2014 - 31 December 2017
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2014 - 31 December 2016
  • Swedish Research Council for Environment Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning
    1 January 2012 - 31 December 2017
  • Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
    1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013
  • Swedish Research Council
    1 January 2011 - 31 December 2013
  • Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation
    31 December 2010 - 30 December 2013
  • Show more

Employments

  • Visiting Professor, Curtin University, 2018-
  • Full Professor, Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Science, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2010-
  • Postdoc, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 2000-2024
  • Leading psychologist, ZI Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 2008-2009
  • Clinical and research psychologist, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Child and adolescent psychiatry, Goethe University Frankfurt, 1997-2008

Degrees and Education

  • International ADOS-2 and ADI-R Trainer, Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, 2010
  • Docent/APL professor, ZI Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 2009
  • Docent, Clinical Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 2004
  • Clinical Neuropsychologist, Neuropsychology, Gesellschaft fuer Neuropsychologie (GNP), 2003
  • Psychotherapy (HPG), Non-medical practitioner, Ordnungsamt, Stadt Frankfurt am Main, 1998

Leadership and responsibility assignments

  • Head of Division, Neuropsychiatry / KIND, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 2012-

Distinction and awards

  • World Autism Experts (rank 6), Expertscape, 2024
  • Wiley Publishers, top cited paper, 2023
  • Wiley Publishers, top downloaded paper, 2023
  • JCPP Advances, best paper of the year, 2022
  • Swedish Municipalities & Regions, GNET Psynk Award, for long-term excellent resesarch, education and public engagement, 2020
  • Scholarships of Integration Award, Boston University, 2019
  • Curtin University Awards of Excellence, Resesarch Team, 2019
  • Fellow of the International Society for Autism Research, 2018
  • Light of the Year Award, Society Attention, 2018
  • Honory member of the Society Autism Spectrum, 2018
  • NIH Environmental Health Science top 2 paper, 2017
  • SFARI top 10 autism paper, 2016
  • Autism CRC, Achievement in Autism Research, 2016
  • Autism Speaks Top 10 autism paper, 2015
  • Life Watch Nordic Research Award for Autism Achievements, 2011

Supervision

  • Supervision to doctoral degree

    • Katja Albertowski, 2024
    • Anna Milena Dubischar Krivec, 2025
    • Sabine Feineis-Matthews, 2005
    • Silke Schiemann, 2006
    • Eftichia Duketis, 2008
    • Jochen Grebner, 2009
    • Steffi Thomas, 2010
    • Paul Wolf, 2011
    • Sabine Schlitt, 2011
    • Zander Eric, 2015
    • Nora Choque Olsson, 2016
    • Charlotte Willfors, 2017
    • Steve Berggren, 2017
    • Ulrika Långh, 2017
    • Lynnea Myers, 2019
    • Soheil Mahdi, 2019
    • Pei-Yin Pan, 2021
    • John Hasslinger, 2025
    • Torkel Carlsson, 2022
    • Emma Leifler, 2022
    • Lundin Remnelius Karl, 2023
    • Peter Crecelius, 2002
    • Gisela Renkert, 2003
    • Ellen Middel, 2003
    • Tong Gong, 2016
    • Berit Bilhar Muld, 2016
    • Elizabeth Nilsson Jobs, 2018
    • Melissa Black, 2018
    • Camilla Wiwe-Lipsker, 2019
    • Elin Lööf, 2019
    • Monica Siquerios
    • Craig Thompson, 2020
    • Hampus Beijno, 2021
    • Julia Tang, 2021
    • Jones Matthew, 2022
    • Bahareh Afsharmejad, 2021
    • Emily D'Arcy, 2024
    • Maya Haydan-Evans, 2024
    • Therese Lindtsröm, 2024
    • Kristiina Tammimies, 2015
    • Maria Löthberg
    • Elinor Strålin
    • Hannah Agius
    • Danyang Li, Genetic implications of individual intervention and neuronal dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders, https://openarchive.ki.se/articles/thesis/Genetic_implications_of_individual_intervention_and_neuronal_dysfunction_in_neurodevelopmental_disorders/26894641?file=48935656, 2022

  • Supervision of postdoctoral researcher

    • Terje Falck-Ytter, 2013
    • Katell Mevel, 2013
    • Tatja Hirvikoski, 2014
    • Daniel Lundqvist, 2013
    • Linda Halldner, 2013
    • Joakim Norberg, 2014
    • Ivan Rojas, 2014
    • Elles De Shipper, 2014
    • Elzbieta Kostrewa, 2016
    • Elodie Cauvet, 2016
    • Janina Neufeld, 2017
    • Johan Isaksson, 2018
    • John Hasslinger
    • Karl Lundin Remnelis
    • Melissa Black

  • Other researchers who have defended a thesis

    • Anna Löfgren, 2014
    • Martina Hedenius, 2018
    • Erik Domelöf

Committee work

Visiting research fellowships

Thesis evaluation

  • Ingrid Fossum, Opponent, University of Oslo, 2025
  • MARIA JUNTTILA, External thesis reviewer, University of Oulu, 2025
  • Anders Dechsling, Opponent, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, 2023
  • Amanda Roesdorf, Opponent, University of London, 2018
  • Daniel Sheppard, External thesis reviewer, Radboud University Nijmegen, 2018
  • Ines Pote, Opponent, Kingston College, 2017
  • Birgitta Spjut Jansson, External thesis reviewer, University of Gothenburg, 2017
  • Nils Haglund, Opponent, Lund University, 2017
  • Marita Falkmer, Opponent, Jönköping University, 2013
  • Petra Dewrang, Opponent, University of Gothenburg, 2011

Editorial work

Conference/event participation

  • Chair, International Society for Autism Research, 2023, Stockholm, 2023
  • Expert panel, Autism Europe, Krakow, 2022
  • Expert panel, International Society for Autism Research, 2019, Montreal, 2019
  • Expert panel, Autism Europe 2019, Nice, 2019
  • Expert panel, Meeting of Minds, Copenhagen 2017, 2017
  • Expert panel, Autism Europe conference 2016, Edinburgh, 2016
  • Chair, EUNETHYDIS, Stockholm 2016, 2016

News from KI

Events from KI

Audio-visual media