Proposed Project

• Hypotheses:

  • neocortex follows predictable trajectories of development measurable cortical thickness changes over time in the average normal individual,
    • Progressive thickening till 2-4yrs plateau thinning in mid-adolescence;
  • is sensitive to both environmental insults and developmental neuropsychiatric disorder,
    • teens exposed to maternal smoking in utero different cortical thickness maps than teens not exposed,
    • Schizophrenic subjects different cortical thickness growth trajectories than normals – differences correlated to clinical symptomatology/severity