Publications & Scientific Studies

In addition to mainstream media and in-person presentations, Dr. Freedman's groundbreaking studies in the field of psychiatry have been extensively published in renowned scientific and medical journals. Below are some highlights of these research studies and journal articles.

Selected Published Studies by Dr. Robert Freedman

Freedman R, Coon H, Myles-Worsley M, et al. Linkage of a neurophysiological deficit in schizophrenia to a chromosome 15 locus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 94:587-592,1997. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9012828/

This was the first finding of a gene linked to schizophrenia, using brain physiology and genetic mapping together. Later, this gene would be shown to enhance brain development before birth when activated by choline. Over 1,400 scientists have referenced this discovery.

Freedman R. Schizophrenia. New England Journal of Medicine 349(18):1738-49, 2003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14585943/

A comprehensive review of the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia that over 500 other clinicians have cited.

Freedman R. Psychiatrists' role in the health of the pregnant mother and the risk for schizophrenia in her offspring. American Journal of Psychiatry 167(3):239-40, 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20194483

The importance for the future mental health of the baby of treatment of mental health issues while a woman is pregnant.

Marder SR, Freedman R. Learning from people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin 40(6):1185-6, 2014.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4193727/

People who have schizophrenia can teach medical students to understand their illness and prepare them to treat mentally ill people with respect.

Javitt DC, Freedman R. Sensory processing dysfunction in the personal experience and neuronal machinery of schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry 172(1):17-31, 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25553496/

This paper has been helpful both to people with schizophrenia and their doctors, to understand how elementary problems in brain function underlie the complex and mysterious symptoms of mental illnesses.

Ross RG, Hunter SK, Hoffman MC,…Freedman R. Perinatal Phosphatidylcholine Supplementation and Early Childhood Behavior Problems: Evidence for CHRNA7 Moderation. American Journal of Psychiatry 173(5):509-16, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26651393/

This is the first clinical trial to show how prenatal choline supplements improve a child’s ability to pay attention and to make friends with other children.

Freedman R, Hunter SK, Hoffman MC. Prenatal primary prevention of mental illness by micronutrient supplements in pregnancy. American Journal of Psychiatry 175(7):607-619, 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29558816/

A comprehensive review of the effectiveness and safety of all the prenatal nutrients.

Freedman R, Hunter SK, Law AJ, et al. Higher gestational choline levels in maternal infection protect infant brain development. Journal of Pediatrics 208:198–206.e2, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30879727/

Higher maternal choline levels protect the baby from the effects of the mother’s bacterial or viral infections.

Hunter SK, Hoffman MC, McCarthy L…Freedman, R. Targeting treatments to health disparities. Schizophrenia Bulletin 47(4):886-887, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33940629/

A prenatal choline supplement decreases the rate of premature birth, especially for Black American women for whom premature delivery is a common problem.

Hunter SK, Hoffman MC, D'Alessandro A…Freedman R. Prenatal choline, cannabis, and infection, and their association with offspring development of attention and social problems through 4 years of age. Psychological Medicine 52(14):3019-3028, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33491615/

Higher maternal choline levels provide long-lasting protection for the child, even if the pregnancy was complicated by infection or cannabis use.

Hoffman MC, Hunter SJ, D'Alessandro A, Christians U, Law AJ, Freedman R. Maternal plasma choline during gestation and Small for Gestational Age infants. American Journal of Perinatology 41(S 01):e939-e948, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36584689/

During the third trimester, higher maternal choline levels help babies, especially girls, have their final growth spurt to prepare for birth.

Selected Articles/Features/Interviews

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