Schizophrenia is a common disorder with a lifetime prevalence of about 1%.Genetic studies strongly suggest a genetic component to the inheritance of schizophrenia. Structural neuroimaging studies have provided consistent evidence for brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. The timing of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia has not been determined yet. The investigators hypothesize that brain structural changes can be detected in neonatal life. The investigators hypothesize that offspring of schizophrenic patients will have higher rates of brain structural changes in the neonatal period. The investigators propose to study early development of fetuses in offspring of patients with schizophrenia. The study is a multi-center prospective trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
80
.1 Psychiatric interview. 2. Questionnaires 3. Blood samples for triple test: alfa feto protein, HCG, E3 4. A thorough fetal ultrasound examination including anatomic screening on 23-24 weeks of pregnancy. 5. A detailed trans-vaginal neurosonographic multi-planer examination, on 32-34 weeks of pregnancy 6. Fetal MRI scan on 32-34 weeks of pregnancy, 7. Newborn brain transfontanelar ultrasonography ,within 2 months postpartum 8. Newborn medical examination within 2 months postpartum.
Abarbanel Mental Health Centre
Bat Yam, Israel
Beer Yaacov Mental health Centre
Beer Yaakov, Israel
Shalvata mental health centre
Hod HaSharon, Israel
Edith Wolfson Medical Centre
Holon, Israel
Geha mental health centre
Petah Tikva, Israel
Brill outpatient clinic
Tel Aviv, Israel
Sourasky Medical Centre
Tel Aviv, Israel
Chaim Sheba medical centre
Tel Litwinsky, Israel
Brain morphological changes between groups
Both MRI scans and US scans will be compared between the groups, assessing brain morphological and volumetric differences .
Time frame: 2 years
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