Figure 3.

The possible risk factors for hippocampal deviations in schizophrenia. Besides genetic factors that increase the risk for hippocampal alterations, several environmental factors have been identified that directly influence hippocampal integrity. Here, especially prenatal, perinatal and early-life stress have negative effects regarding structural, as well as functional properties of the hippocampus. Furthermore, childhood trauma and inflammatory processes can negatively affect the development and the physiology.