One Rare Condition Seems to Protect The Brain From Schizophrenia

A review of decades of evidence found no reported schizophrenia cases in people born with cortical blindness.

A large whole-population study in Western Australia reinforced the pattern, suggesting congenital blindness may be strongly protective.

People who lose sight later in life can still develop schizophrenia, pointing to the importance of early brain development.

The finding may help explain schizophrenia as a disorder of perception and prediction, not only dopamine imbalance.