Several studies have reported neurological soft signs (NSS) to be common in individuals with schizophrenia. The majority of these studies are based on clinical samples exposed to neuroleptic treatment. The present study reports on 200 treatment-naïve and community-identified cases of schizophrenia and 78 healthy individuals from the same area, evaluated using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). The median NES score was 5.0 for cases of schizophrenia and 1.5 for healthy subjects. The impairment rate of NSS in cases with schizophrenia was 65.0% against 50.0% in healthy subjects, and the difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 5.30; df = 1; P < 0.021). NSS abnormality is as common in treatment-naïve cases as reported in many studies in those on neuroleptic medication. There was no significant relation between the NSS impairment and duration of illness, remission status, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and disorganized symptoms.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08039480260389343DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cases schizophrenia
16
neurological soft
8
soft signs
8
signs nss
8
200 treatment-naïve
8
treatment-naïve cases
8
schizophrenia healthy
8
healthy subjects
8
nss
5
cases
5

Similar Publications

Approaches for difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DEC): a Japanese expert consensus.

Ann Gen Psychiatry

January 2025

Department of Neuropsychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Chuo-Ku, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.

Background: Seizure threshold increases with age and the frequency of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Therefore, therapeutic seizures can be difficult to induce, even at maximum stimulus charge with available ECT devices. Such cases are known as difficult-to-induce-seizures electroconvulsive therapy cases (DECs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on how Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs) in rural Greece manage patients with their first episode of schizophrenia.
  • Over 200 patients were analyzed, with a significant portion being male and an average age of 34.9 years at first presentation, highlighting the duration of untreated psychosis and engagement in treatment.
  • Despite a high treatment engagement rate, the study finds a low overall percentage of schizophrenia patients seeking help, suggesting the need for improved outreach and research in rural mental health care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a psychiatric-neurologic emergency that may require intensive care management. There is a paucity of information about NMS as a critical illness. We reviewed the Mayo Clinic experience.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Clozapine has demonstrated superiority in improving both positive and negative symptoms of treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, there are associated treatment-limiting side effects, including myocarditis, cardiomyopathy and agranulocytosis.

Aim: This retrospective cohort study describes the prevalence of myocarditis, left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes in a cohort of patients maintained on clozapine therapy.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collated from patients who had a diagnosis of schizophrenia, had been managed with clozapine at any stage during their care and undergone at least one echocardiogram.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Genetic and neurobiological aspects of psychosis in major neurocognitive disorder.

Medwave

January 2025

Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.

Psychiatric symptoms are frequent in neurocognitive disorders and dementias. Psychotic symptoms, mainly hallucinations and delusions, may appear in up to 50% of cases, influencing morbidity and mortality. Genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors are involved in their onset.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!