Genes, environment and schizophrenia: is the placenta the missing link?

Written by Sharon Salt, Editor

A recent study has identified that the placenta could play an imperative role in schizophrenia and possibly other neurodevelopmental disorders, including ADHD, autism and Tourettes syndrome. The researchers believe that this novel finding creates a possibility for scientists to more accurately predict who is at risk of mental illness, as well as develop strategies to prevent their occurrence by increasing the resiliency and health of the placenta. The study, which was published in Nature Medicine, was led by a team of researchers at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD; MD, USA). According to the researchers, it is the first...

To view this content, please register now for access

It's completely free