Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that typically arises in late adolescence or early adulthood, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and social withdrawal. A recent study by the Lieber Institute for Brain Development challenges long-held beliefs about the genetic origins of this illness. Researchers found that over 100 associated genes linked to schizophrenia are primarily active in the placenta rather than the developing brain. This pivotal discovery, published in Nature Communications, highlights the placenta’s crucial role in prenatal health and risk assessment for schizophrenia, suggesting that improved placental function could influence developmental outcomes.
The study revealed that risk genes impact the placenta’s ability to exchange nutrients crucial for fetal development, with potential differences based on the fetus’s sex. Moreover, it identified a significant correlation between increased activation of these genes during COVID-19 pregnancies and heightened schizophrenia risk. The researchers advocate for a shift towards studying placental biology to unveil preventive strategies, enabling early interventions based on genetic risk factors detected during pregnancy. Ultimately, these insights could lead to advancements in prenatal medicine and improve long-term health outcomes for children predisposed to developmental disorders.
