Related Experiment Videos
The Copenhagen High-Risk Project, 1962-86
Insights
Schizophrenia risk is increased by family history, perinatal trauma, and unstable child care. Perinatal issues link to brain atrophy, potentially caused by second-trimester fetal development disruption.
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.
Abstract:
Since 1962 we have followed a sample of 207 children at high risk for schizophrenia as well as 104 control children. For these individuals, the following factors and their interaction are related to an increased risk for schizophrenic breakdown: (1) greater schizophrenia family backgrounds, (2) perinatal trauma, and (3) unstable parenting and public institutional child care. The perinatal difficulties are positively related to adult periventricular atrophy. Results of a subsequent study tentatively suggest that part of the neurological deviance in schizophrenia may be produced by disruption occurring in the second trimester of fetal development.