Placental changes linked to increased schizophrenia risk

Researchers have found a connection between changes in the placenta and an increased risk of schizophrenia, as well as other mental health disorders. The placenta plays a crucial role in fetal development and can be influenced by various factors including the mother's stress, diet, and exposure to pollutants. The study, published in Nature Communications, looked at how DNA methylation in the placenta affects gene expression. Methylation is a chemical process that can regulate genes without changing the actual DNA sequence. The study revealed links between placental DNA methylation and several neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. However, it did not find any significant links between placental changes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Nora Fernandez-Jimenez, one of the study authors, emphasized that these findings support the idea that schizophrenia and similar disorders might develop in the early stages of life due to factors related to the placenta. Dr. Ariadna Cilleros-Portet, another researcher, highlighted the potential for early identification of risk factors. This could lead to interventions that might prevent symptoms from showing up later in life. While research continues to explore the causes of complex mental health issues like schizophrenia, this study suggests that early prenatal influences can have lasting effects. Greater understanding of these connections may help in developing better treatments and preventive measures for such disorders.