International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Uttara Koul, Deeksha Seth, Supreet Khare

Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating neurodevelopmental illness which affects around 1% of the population. Dietary requirements for choline are high during pregnancy because of its several uses, including membrane biosynthesis, one-carbon metabolism, and cholinergic neurotransmission. The perinatal period may be a stage where even small interventions may alter the developmental course. By studying the role of choline dependent mechanisms in early brain development, and its relationship to schizophrenia-associated cognitive deficits, we may develop primary prevention strategies. Dietary choline supplementation during pregnancy for preventing the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia requires further exploration. Primary prevention strategies are seldom the goal of research. However, Schizophrenia is an illness where it’s imperative to identify novel treatment strategies aimed at normalizing early brain development. This review article discusses one such avenue. Here, we review the available literature on the role of choline supplementation during pregnancy for the prevention of Schizophrenia.