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Handedness and epileptic schizophrenia
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Left-handedness in male epilepsy patients may protect against schizophrenia. This study found fewer left-handed males with epilepsy and schizophrenia compared to other groups, suggesting a protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Epilepsy and schizophrenia are complex neurological and psychiatric disorders.
- Handedness, a reflection of brain lateralization, has been studied in relation to various neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of mixed or left-handedness in epileptic patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- To compare handedness patterns between epileptic schizophrenic patients and other patient groups.
- To explore potential protective effects of non-right-handedness in male epileptics against psychiatric illness.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two epileptic patients with schizophrenia (Research Diagnostic Criteria) were assessed for handedness using the Annett Handedness Schedule.
- Handedness was determined using the Annett-Maudsley criteria.
- Comparisons were made with three other patient cohorts.
Main Results:
- Five (15.6%) of the epileptic schizophrenic patients exhibited mixed or left-handedness.
- No significant differences in the prevalence of mixed or left-handedness were observed between the studied samples.
- A significant reduction in mixed or left-handedness was found specifically in male epileptic patients with schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Mixed or left-handedness in male epileptic patients may confer a protective effect against the development of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this observed association.