Motor sequencing abnormalities are the trait marking neurological soft signs of schizophrenia.

Journal: Neuroscience letters

Volume: 600

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2015

Affiliated Institutions:  World Health Organization (W.H.O) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Electronic address: drakinjagbemi@yahoo.com. World Health Organization (W.H.O) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Abstract summary 

We describe the profile of NSS across the one-year course of schizophrenia in 84 Nigerian first-episode patients. They were assessed at baseline and 3 monthly for 12 months using the Neurological Evaluation Scale and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and treated with flupenthixol decanoate. The pattern of NSS total and sub-category scores obtained from repeated measurements were investigated for responders (≥ 50% reduction of baseline PANSS scores) and non-responders using the method of repeated measures analysis of variance. Trait-like features of NSS categories were quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). NSS were present in 96.4% of the patients at baseline (mean 21.5 ± 11.1). The motor-sequencing sub-category was found unrelated to changes in schizophrenia psychopathology with treatment (positive, r=0.19, p=0.136., negative, r=0.12, p=0.350; disorganization, r=0.16, p=0.245; overall, r=0.20, p=0.112). Regardless of decrements in psychopathology, motor-sequencing scores remained relatively unchanged across the course of the disease (main effects: 'responders' F=2.44, p=0.930, 'poor responders' F=0.27, p=0.764, entire sample F=1.87, p=0.160). ICC was "substantial" at 0.8 (95% C.I=0.6-0.9). Only the motor-sequencing NSS appear to be trait marker of schizophrenia in this sample. Other NSS seem to reflect symptomatic states of the disorder.

Authors & Co-authors:  Ojagbemi Akin A Esan Oluyomi O Emsley Robin R Gureje Oye O

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  4
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.neulet.2015.06.028
SSN : 1872-7972
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Biological markers;Neurological soft signs;Psychopathology;Schizophrenia
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Niger
Publication Country
Ireland