Abstract
We have proposed a framework for research which hypothesizes that an important part of the genetic predisposition to schizophrenia is expressed as a disruption of fetal brain development, probably occurring in the second trimester of gestation (Baker et al. 1990). The hypothesized disruption of brain development may involve errors in the migration, positioning, orientation and connection of young neurons. Our studies suggest that, while in most cases these developmental errors are due to defects in genetic programming, they may be mimicked by teratogens such as a viral infection occurring during this critical period in gestation. Our most recent analyses suggest that for schizophrenia the critical period may be centered in the 6th – 7th months of gestation.
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Barr, C.E., Mednick, S.A., Machon, R.A., Cannon, T.D. (1991). Fetal Neural Development and Adult Schizophrenia. In: Eggers, C. (eds) Schizophrenia and Youth. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-02684-7_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-02684-7_6
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-52485-4
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