OK, now let’s look at the sentences in the above excerpt one-by-one:
For the first sentence (on genes): Consider a gene that says “Hey neurons! When in doubt, make more synapses! Grow more axons! Make bigger dendritic trees!” This gene would probably be protective against schizophrenia and a risk factor for autism, for reasons discussed just above. And vice-versa for the opposite kind of gene. Nice!
Why would your theory [which says that schizophrenia is about deficient connections] predict that a gene that predisposed toward a more fully-connected connectome, would protect against schizophrenia?
I’m confused about the fact that you’re confused … If schizophrenia involves too few connections, then more connections means less schizophrenia, right?
Something else I later noticed should confuse me:
Why would your theory [which says that schizophrenia is about deficient connections] predict that a gene that predisposed toward a more fully-connected connectome, would protect against schizophrenia?
I’m confused about the fact that you’re confused … If schizophrenia involves too few connections, then more connections means less schizophrenia, right?