Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
05:52
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Minor physical anomalies in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis
Seth M Weinberg1, Elizabeth A Jenkins, Mary L Marazita
1Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA. smwst46@sdmgenetics.pitt.edu
Schizophrenia Research
|November 3, 2006
Summary
Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit significantly more minor physical anomalies (MPAs) overall. This meta-analysis found increased MPAs across all regions, but without specific regional patterns, suggesting a general association in schizophrenia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Minor physical anomalies (MPAs) are frequently reported in individuals with schizophrenia.
- Existing studies show considerable variation in the reported prevalence and distribution of MPAs in schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between MPAs and schizophrenia.
- To investigate the magnitude and topographical distribution of MPAs in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search identified 13 relevant studies.
- Pooled effect sizes (Hedges' g and odds ratios) were calculated for total and regional MPA scores.
- Meta-regression was used to explore heterogeneity and potential moderator variables.
Main Results:
- A high pooled effect size (1.131, p<0.001) indicated significantly more MPAs in individuals with schizophrenia.
- Significant heterogeneity was observed but not explained by moderator variables.
- MPAs were significantly increased in all six anatomical regions analyzed, with no significant differences between regions.
Conclusions:
- Schizophrenia is associated with a significantly higher overall frequency of MPAs.
- The increased MPAs in schizophrenia lack specific regional localization, suggesting a generalized phenomenon.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
01:17Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those diagnosed.