Table 5.

Evidence for Schizophrenia as a Neurodevelopmental Disorder

Genes that code for neurodevelopment have been implicated High rates of birth complications Season of birth phenomenon Many patients have minor physical anomalies* Abnormal or fused webs at toes Abnormal palmar creases Low-set ears Shortened faces Widened eyes Many patients have abnormal fingerprints* Type and pattern of structural brain abnormalities seen in brain-imaging studies Type and pattern of brain changes in postmortem studies

^*Subtle skin “blemishes” that relate in timing to maturation of the skin and the central nervous system in utero.