Project Summary

Mark Weiser, M.D. (Young Investigator 2003) of Chaim Sheba Medical Center, notes that evidence indicates that central nervous system infections, particularly meningitis, in childhood might be associated with increased risk for schizophrenia.  Dr. Weiser will examine this association by identifying all cases of children hospitalized for meningitis in Israel between 1972 and 1987 and follow them for hospitalization for schizophrenia using a national psychiatric hospitalization registry. Furthermore, Dr. Weiser will obtain data on cognitive function obtained from the Israeli Draft Board to examine the possibility that meningitis in childhood increases the risk of cognitive impairment, a known risk factor for schizophrenia, which in turn increases the risk of hospitalization for schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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