The Copenhagen High-Risk Project, 1962-86

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Longitudinal study initiated in 1962 tracking high-risk and control children.
• Investigating multifactorial risks for schizophrenia development.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify key risk factors for schizophrenic breakdown.
• Examine the relationship between perinatal trauma and neurological changes.
• Explore early developmental origins of neurological deviance in schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• Followed a cohort of 207 high-risk and 104 control children since 1962.
• Analyzed the interaction of family history, perinatal trauma, and early life environment.
• Correlated perinatal difficulties with adult periventricular atrophy.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia family background, perinatal trauma, and unstable child care significantly increase risk.
• Perinatal difficulties show a positive correlation with adult periventricular atrophy.
• Preliminary findings suggest second-trimester fetal development disruption may cause neurological deviance.

Conclusions:

• Schizophrenia development is influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, perinatal, and environmental factors.
• Perinatal trauma is a significant risk factor associated with structural brain changes.
• Early fetal development disruptions may represent a critical period for schizophrenia's neurological underpinnings.