Neurological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients and their relatives

Twenty four schizophrenic patients who met DSM-III criteria, 28 of their nonschizophrenic first degree relatives and a group of 28 normal controls who did not have any personal or family history of major psychiatric illness were assessed by the same investigator for the presence of abnormalities on clinical neurological examination. Patients had significantly greater neurological impairment (p< .001) than the normal control group. Nonschizophrenic first degree relatives of patients also had greater impairment (p< .05) when compared to the matched control group. Significant excess of neurological abnormalities seen in schizophrenic patients and their close relatives suggest that neurological factors are important in the development of schizophrenia. It was also found that those who had lower education had more neurological abnormalities. The implications of these observations are discussed.