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Perinatal complications and schizophrenia: involvement of the immune system

Trisha A Jenkins1

  • 1School of Medical Sciences, Health Innovations Research Institute, RMIT University Bundoora, VIC, Australia.

Frontiers in Neuroscience
|June 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia may stem from prenatal environmental factors interacting with genetic risks, impacting early brain development. Understanding these origins is key for future schizophrenia interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia posits that early life events influence adult psychosis.
  • Prenatal and perinatal environmental exposures are implicated in schizophrenia's onset.
  • Genetic predisposition interacts with environmental factors in schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the neurodevelopmental origins of schizophrenia.
  • To understand the interplay between genetic liability and environmental risks.
  • To identify potential targets for schizophrenia interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data.
  • Analysis of animal models examining environmental and genetic factors.
  • Investigation of immune system activation pathways.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal/perinatal events can initiate brain pathologies leading to schizophrenia.
  • Immune system activation is a common pathway for various risk factors.
  • Gene-environment interactions mediate early developmental effects.

Conclusions:

  • Schizophrenia pathophysiology involves early neurodevelopmental disruptions.
  • Combined genetic and environmental approaches are crucial for understanding schizophrenia.
  • Animal models offer valuable insights for developing schizophrenia treatments.

Keywords:
animal modelscytokineshippocampusinfectionschizophrenia

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