Question

People who are born in the _____ have a greater risk of prenatal exposure to a flu virus, making them more susceptible to schizophrenia. Evidence for a viral cause of schizophrenia is supported by comparisons of twins who ______.

a) winter months; are more likely to be concordant for schizophrenia
b) summer months; are more likely to be concordant for schizophrenia
c) urban areas; have lower risk of schizophrenia
d) rural areas; are less likely to be concordant for schizophrenia

Answer 1

Individuals born in winter months have a greater risk of prenatal flu virus exposure, which may increase susceptibility to schizophrenia. This is further indicated by twins having a higher concordance for the disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is a:

An in-depth explanation of this topic involves several factors. Research, such as the study by Brown et al. (2004), has proposed that prenatal exposure to influenza during the winter months may increase the risk of schizophrenia in offspring. This hypothesis is supported by serologic studies that indicate a higher prevalence of schizophrenia among individuals whose mothers were infected with the flu virus during pregnancy. Additionally, the viral cause hypothesis is further supported by studies on twins which show that twins are more likely to be concordant for schizophrenia.

Tienari et al. (2004) also suggest that both genetics and environment play crucial roles in the development of schizophrenia. Adoptees with high genetic risk for schizophrenia have an increased likelihood of developing the disorder if they were raised in disrupted family environments. This interplay between genes and environment emphasizes that while prenatal viral exposure can be a risk factor, it is not solely determinative.