Postural Sway Abnormalities in Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Motor abnormalities are a core feature of schizophrenia.
• Postural sway is a sensitive measure of sensorimotor control.
• Altered postural control is observed in individuals at high risk for psychosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate postural sway in schizotypal personality disorder (SPD).
• To determine if SPD exhibits intermediate postural sway deficits compared to schizophrenia and controls.
• To assess postural sway as a potential sensorimotor biomarker for schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Main Methods:

• Postural sway was measured using force plates in individuals with SPD, matched controls, and schizophrenia patients.
• Participants completed balance tasks under various conditions (eyes open/closed, feet together/apart).
• Key metrics included path length and sway area.

Main Results:

• The SPD group demonstrated significantly greater postural sway than the control group across all conditions.
• The magnitude of sway deficit in the SPD group was comparable to that observed in the schizophrenia group.
• Both path length and sway area were significantly increased in individuals with SPD.

Conclusions:

• Postural sway deficits are present in schizotypal personality disorder.
• These deficits are comparable in magnitude to those seen in schizophrenia.
• Postural sway measures show potential as a sensorimotor biomarker for schizophrenia spectrum disorders.