Placental Changes From Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Could Flag Higher Schizophrenia Risk Later in Life, Study Suggests

New research shows prenatal cannabis exposure may alter placental genes tied to schizophrenia risk, suggesting the placenta could help flag vulnerable children early in life. (Credit: Pixabay, StockSnap)

Cannabis use during pregnancy may leave molecular "fingerprints" in the placenta that are linked to a higher risk of schizophrenia and other mental health problems in children, new research suggests.

Large human studies have shown that when babies are born with low birth weight, certain genetic markers in the placenta are altered, and these markers are strongly tied to a higher chance of schizophrenia, autism, and cognitive problems later in life.