Project Summary

Alan S. Brown, M.D. (Independent Investigator 2004) of Columbia University, will conduct the first investigation of prenatal stress and vitamin A deficiency in relation to the risk of schizophrenia. Prior studies suggest that schizophrenia may be caused in part by a disturbance of brain development and that environmental factors may play an important role in this abnormal process. Using a unique resource, stored prenatal serum specimens from schizophrenia cases and controls, Dr. Brown will measure hormone levels that indicate maternal and fetal stress from both groups and compare them. He believes maternal stress hormone levels will be increased in pregnancies which resulted in offspring with schizophrenia. He will also compare vitamin A levels and believes these levels will be decreased in pregnancies resulting in offspring with schizophrenia. Findings may help identify strategies for the prevention of schizophrenia, as well as improve the understanding of the biological events contributing to schizophrenia.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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