Prenatal brain development includes the production, migration and early organisation of nerve cells. Researchers study whether conditions during pregnancy can influence later susceptibility to schizophrenia. Areas of investigation include genetic factors, maternal health, nutrition and…Continue Reading
Childhood development includes changes in language, movement, learning and social understanding. Studies of schizophrenia sometimes identify average developmental differences before illness onset, but these findings overlap extensively with ordinary variation and other conditions. They cannot…Continue Reading
Adolescence involves substantial changes in neural connections, hormonal systems and social demands. Networks supporting planning, emotional regulation and reward continue to develop. Because schizophrenia often becomes apparent around late adolescence or early adulthood, researchers investigate…Continue Reading
Synaptic pruning is the selective reduction and reorganisation of connections between nerve cells. It is part of normal development and helps refine neural networks. One schizophrenia hypothesis proposes that altered pruning, possibly involving immune-related mechanisms…Continue Reading
Neurodevelopmental hypotheses propose that schizophrenia-related vulnerability can arise through differences in brain development long before clear psychotic symptoms appear. These differences may interact with later maturation, stress and other exposures. The model helps explain why…Continue Reading