Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs)
10:47

Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs)

Published on: March 2, 2018

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia: convergent clues from epidemiology and neuropathology

Michael Piper1, Monica Beneyto, Thomas H J Burne

  • 1School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.

The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|August 30, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia risk is linked to early brain development disruptions. Evidence from epidemiology, genetics, neuropathology, and animal models supports this neurodevelopmental hypothesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that early brain development disruptions elevate schizophrenia risk.
  • This theory highlights critical developmental periods and associated risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence supporting the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia.
  • To integrate findings from epidemiology, genetics, neuropathology, and animal models.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological studies identifying prenatal/perinatal risk factors (infection, nutrition, obstetric complications).
  • Genetic studies examining candidate genes associated with brain development.
  • Neuropathological research investigating brain abnormalities.
  • Animal models exploring effects of early life exposures on brain systems.

Main Results:

  • Epidemiological data links various prenatal and perinatal factors to schizophrenia.
  • Genetic research implicates specific genes in altered brain development.
  • Neuropathological findings corroborate early developmental disruptions.
  • Animal models demonstrate that early life exposures impact relevant brain systems.

Conclusions:

  • Convergent evidence from multiple disciplines supports the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia.
  • Disruptions in early brain development are strongly implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis.

More Related Videos

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis05:52

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis

Published on: November 21, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Biological Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Biological Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
Schizophrenia01:17

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...