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Negative symptoms in schizophrenia and nailfold plexus visibility
J H Poole1, H R Maricq, E Alson
1Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin 78712.
Biological Psychiatry
|April 15, 1991
Summary
Plexus visualization score, a potential genetic marker for schizophrenia, strongly correlates with negative symptoms. This suggests negative symptoms stem from a distinct pathology, making nailfold vascular plexus visibility a valuable risk marker.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Nailfold vascular plexus visibility is a potential genetically transmitted marker for schizophrenia liability.
- Previous research suggested a link between this marker and schizophrenia, but its specific association with symptom types was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between nailfold vascular plexus visualization score (PVS) and specific symptom dimensions (negative, positive, affective) in schizophrenia.
- To determine if PVS is a risk marker for a biologically distinct pathology underlying negative symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from 84 patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia.
- Assessment of PVS and derivation of negative, positive, and affective symptom scales from the Mental Status Schedule (MSS).
Main Results:
- A highly significant correlation was found between PVS and negative symptoms (verbal, motor, cognitive, motivational deficits).
- No significant correlation was observed between PVS and positive or affective symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Negative symptoms of schizophrenia appear to arise from a disease process biologically distinct from that causing positive symptoms.
- Plexus visibility serves as a risk marker for the pathology associated with negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
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