Can Prenatal Choline Supplements Prevent Schizophrenia?

Prenatal and postnatal supplementation was associated with less social withdrawal and inattention — two precursors of schizophrenia — at age 40 months.

Adult schizophrenia is associated with risk variants of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (CHRNA7) and with inhibition of the P50 electroencephalographic response to repeated auditory signals (prepulse inhibition). Because choline deficiency might impair CHRNA7 functioning, these investigators had previously tested whether dietary choline supplementation during pregnancy and infancy affected prepulse inhibition in infants (NEJM JW Psychiatry Mar 2013 and Am J Psychiatry 2013 January 15 [e-pub]). This follow-up analysis examines the effects on preschoolers' behaviors that are precursors to schizophrenia (e.g., social withdrawal, inattention).

Phosphatidylcholine (PCh; used to avoid the obnoxious odor of GI catabolism of choline to urea)…

Reviewing Author

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Barbara Geller, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Can Prenatal Choline Supplements Prevent Schizophrenia?

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Reviewing Author