Salk scientists show fundamental differences in early
neurons from patients with schizophrenia, supporting the theory that risk for
the disease may begin in the womb
Using new stem cell technology, scientists at the Salk
Institute have shown that neurons generated from the skin cells of people with
schizophrenia behave strangely in early developmental stages, providing a hint
as to ways to detect and potentially treat the disease early.
The findings of the study, published online in April's
Molecular Psychiatry, support the theory that the neurological dysfunction that
eventually causes schizophrenia may begin in the brains of babies still in the
womb.