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[Laterality in schizophrenics and their relatives--a trait marker?]
M Dvoráková1, P Zvolský, M Alda
1Výzkumná psychiatrická laborator 1. lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy, Praha.
Sbornik Lekarsky
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Schizophrenia is linked to significant deviations in functional symmetry, particularly hand and foot motor laterality. This study found increased ambidexterity and altered dextrolaterality in schizophrenic patients and their relatives compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Human Genetics
Context:
- Functional symmetry of paired organs, known as laterality, is crucial for typical brain development and function.
- Developmental deviations in laterality have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
- Previous research has suggested potential links between altered lateralization and neurological or psychiatric disorders.
Purpose:
- To investigate developmental deviations in functional symmetry (laterality) of motor and sensory organs in individuals with schizophrenia and their healthy relatives.
- To compare the laterality patterns of schizophrenic patients, their relatives, and a healthy control population.
- To assess cerebral dominance using the torque test in relation to laterality patterns.
Summary:
- The study assessed motor (hands, feet) and sensory (eyes, ears) laterality in 160 schizophrenic patients, 126 healthy relatives, and 754 controls.
- Schizophrenic patients exhibited significantly reversed motor laterality of upper extremities, with lower defined dextrolaterality and higher ambiguousness (ambidexterity) compared to controls.
- Relatives showed similar hand laterality changes, and the torque test confirmed incomplete left hemisphere lateralization and abnormal cerebral dominance in a substantial proportion of patients and relatives.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that altered laterality, particularly in hand dominance and cerebral dominance, is a significant characteristic associated with schizophrenia.
- These laterality deviations may serve as potential biomarkers or indicators of genetic predisposition to schizophrenia in family members.
- The study contributes to understanding the neurodevelopmental underpinnings of schizophrenia and may inform future research into diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.