Neurological signs in parents of schizophrenic patients

The importance of neurological abnormalities in relatives of schizophrenic patients is not completely clear and has been questioned. The hypothesis that neurological abnormalities are trait markers for a vulnerability to develop schizophrenia was tested in 32 parents of patients with schizophrenia and 34 healthy controls. A comprehensive and standardized neurological assessment battery was used. The examiners were blind as to whether they tested a parent of a patient or a healthy control. Four function domains were investigated; higher cerebral functions, cranial nerve functions, general motor functions and gait. There were no significant differences between parents of patients and healthy controls on any of the neurological function domains, or on the total number of neurological abnormalities. No difference was found between parents with a positive family history of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, parents with a negative family history and controls. Results suggest that the neurological functions investigated are not related to a genetic liability to develop schizophrenia.