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SHORT REPORTS: W. CAHN, N. E. M. van HAREN, H. E. HULSHOFF POL, H. G. SCHNACK, E. CASPERS, D. A. J. LAPONDER, and R. S. KAHN Brain volume changes in the first year of illness and 5-year outcome of schizophrenia The British Journal of Psychiatry 2006; 189: 381-382 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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This may relate to loss of DHEA...

James M. Howard   (9 October 2006)

This may relate to loss of DHEA... 9 October 2006
James M. Howard, Biologist independent Send letter to journal: Re: This may relate to loss of DHEA... jmhoward{at}anthropogeny.com James M. Howard	It is my hypothesis that schizophrenia results from the effects of low maternal DHEA on fetal brain development. This may result in less than robust brain development. Subsequently for these individuals, the effects of cortisol and testosterone and the natural decline of DHEA which begins around age twenty combine to reduce maintenance of their brain structure and function. Hence, schizophrenia often begins following a stressful event, following puberty, and in the late teens to early twenties. Low DHEA has been found in schizophrenia. This loss of DHEA around age twenty will expose the lack of optimal brain development. This lack of brain development, the current amount of DHEA, and the amount of decline of DHEA will determine the loss of structure and function. Therefore, the early effects of the loss of DHEA should indicate the slope of the decline thereafter.