Eye-tracking dysfunction and birth-month weather in schizophrenia.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Eye-tracking dysfunction (ETD) is prevalent in schizophrenia and relatives, suggesting a familial risk factor.
• Birth during intemperate weather is a known risk factor for schizophrenia, especially in those without a family history.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the covariation between eye-tracking dysfunction and birth-month weather in schizophrenia patients.
• To explore the roles of familial (genetic) and environmental risk factors in schizophrenia etiology.

Main Methods:

• Assessed eye-tracking and birth-month weather independently in 78 schizophrenia patients.
• Compared risk factor prevalence between patients with and without ETD, and with the general population.

Main Results:

• Patients without ETD were significantly more likely to be born in months with intemperate weather (hot or cold).
• This finding contrasts with patients with ETD and the general population.

Conclusions:

• Environmental factors associated with severe weather around birth may contribute significantly to non-familial schizophrenia.
• ETD may represent a familial (genetic) risk factor, while extreme weather may indicate environmental influences.