Childhood may precede the development of psychotic-like experiences, according to recent study findings.
In a groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, researchers at the University of Rochester have found that environmental and socio-economic factors can increase the risk of psychotic-like experiences in pre-adolescent children. This research, led by Abhishek Saxena, has significant implications for our understanding of the development of schizophrenia.
Since 2017, 340 children from the greater Rochester area have been participating in the 10-year ABCD Study. The University of Rochester Medical Center is one of 21 research sites across the country collecting data for this National Institutes of Health initiative. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study involves multiple U.S. cities, including San Diego, Boston, Detroit, and others. Children from the Rochester metropolitan area are typically recruited through local schools and communities in Rochester, New York.
The study, supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, used data from 8,000 kids enrolled in the ABCD Study. The research is significant because it demonstrates that these factors impact people starting at a very young age, not just young adults. David Dodell-Feder, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology and Neuroscience and lead author of this study, expressed concern about the early presence of the association between exposures and psychotic-like experiences in late childhood.
Risk factors identified in the study include living in an urban environment, proximity to roads, houses with lead paint risks, families in poverty, and income disparity. The more of these factors a child is exposed to, the greater number of psychotic-like experiences they may have over a year's time.
This research suggests that social and environmental factors can play a significant role in the risk and development of schizophrenia, beyond just biological factors. Past research has largely focused on the biological factors that lead to the development of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but this study highlights the importance of considering social and environmental factors as well.
The findings could have a major impact on public health initiatives aimed at reducing the risk of psychotic-like experiences. According to Dodell-Feder, the impact of exposures may occur as early as pre-adolescence, emphasizing the importance of early prevention.
The ABCD Study is following 11,750 children through early adulthood to understand how biological development, behaviours, and experiences impact brain maturation and other aspects of their lives. This research is a crucial step towards a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between biological, social, and environmental factors in the development of psychotic disorders.
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