Project Summary

Michael C. Crair, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Baylor College of Medicine, notes that environment is important in schizophrenia because people with identical predispositions to schizophrenia may not develop the disorder unless they are exposed to appropriate external environmental stimuli. As such, he proposes on studying fundamental mechanisms of brain development that may go awry in schizophrenics. Dr. Crair plans on focusing on the development of excitatory neuronal connections or synapses, which are believed to be abnormal in schizophrenia. He also will study the kinds of environmental factors, such as sensory experience or abnormal neuronal activity, which may cause schizophrenia, especially early in development.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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