Project Summary

Mary Cannon, M.D., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2002) of Institute of Psychiatry, will trace and assess fetal scans on the offspring of women with schizophrenia (these offspring are at ten times greater risk of later developing schizophrenia than the general population).  Dr. Cannon hopes to establish whether lower birth weight in schizophrenia is mediated through prematurity or intrauterine growth retardation.  She will also investigate possible causes for intrauterine growth retardation, such as chromosomal abnormalities and uteroplacental insufficiency.  There is a great deal of evidence that obstetric complications are associated with later schizophrenia and one of the best-established findings is that individuals who later develop schizophrenia have had a lower birth weight than controls.  This also applies to the offspring of women with schizophrenia.  Therefore, Dr. Cannon believes this study will provide valuable information about the earliest origins of schizophrenia. 

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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