PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Mohamed Z. Zawahri TI - Weather and the first episode of schizophrenia DP - 2002 Jan 01 TA - Neurosciences Journal PG - 43--45 VI - 7 IP - 1 4099 - http://nsj.org.sa/content/7/1/43.short 4100 - http://nsj.org.sa/content/7/1/43.full SO - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2002 Jan 01; 7 AB - OBJECTIVE: To emphasize the effect of weather on the occurrence of the first episode of Schizophrenia.METHODS: The relationship between weather and the first episode of schizophrenia was investigated at Ibn Sina Psychiatric Hospital, Damascus, Syria, from 1997 to 1999.RESULTS: Schizophrenia in developing countries affects men at a higher rate than women. The highest rates are found in lower socioeconomic classes, and the first episode of the disease usually occurs in May or June, and after weather changes.CONCLUSION: High temperature (equal or exceeding body temperature) is considered one of the outside factors of schizophrenia, however, as yet the etiology of the disease is still unknown.