Early disturbances
According to theories of brain development, an early disturbance leads to a disorganised brain structure. The onset of puberty is accompanied by a variety of neurological events, including the programmed demise of several brain cells, and it is at this time that such abnormalities become significant. According to developmental theories, several risk factors for schizophrenia are associated with a crucial period in foetal development, including:
Complications at birth and during pregnancy increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is more prevalent in spring and winter deliveries.
Children whose mothers experience privation during the first trimester have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the brains of adults with schizophrenia are disorganised in the manner suggested by developmental theories.
