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Anomalous dominance and persistent tardive dyskinesia
W B Barr1, S Mukherjee, G Degreef
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.
Biological Psychiatry
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Schizophrenic patients with typical brain dominance patterns may be more prone to tardive dyskinesia (TD). Conversely, unusual brain asymmetry might protect against TD development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder.
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a potential side effect of antipsychotic medications.
- Cerebral hemispheric asymmetries and handedness are studied in relation to neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between handedness, cerebral hemispheric asymmetries, and the presence of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in schizophrenic patients.
- To determine if patterns of brain dominance can predict the development of TD.
Main Methods:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess cerebral hemispheric asymmetries.
- Patients were evaluated for handedness and the presence or absence of persistent TD.
- Stepwise discriminant analyses were employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Patients with TD exhibited a more standard dominance pattern (dextral hand preference, normal occipital asymmetry).
- Anomalous dominance patterns were associated with a lower prevalence of TD.
- Inclusion of dominance measures improved the statistical prediction of TD.
Conclusions:
- Standard brain dominance patterns in schizophrenic patients may increase susceptibility to TD.
- Anomalous brain dominance might offer a protective effect against TD development.
- Handedness and cerebral asymmetries are relevant factors in understanding TD pathophysiology.