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Psychomotor Slowing in Schizophrenia: Implications for Endophenotype and Biomarker Development
K Juston Osborne1, Sebastian Walther2, Stewart A Shankman1,3
1Northwestern University, Department of Psychology, Evanston, IL, USA.
Biomarkers in Neuropsychiatry
|March 19, 2021
Summary
Psychomotor slowing is a key feature of schizophrenia, appearing independently of medication. This finding may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying at-risk individuals and tracking illness progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Motor abnormalities, including psychomotor slowing, are core features of schizophrenia.
- These abnormalities are independent of drug treatment and linked to genetic vulnerability and illness pathophysiology.
- Psychomotor slowing is a consistent and robust finding in schizophrenia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and neural underpinnings of psychomotor slowing in psychosis.
- To examine literature supporting psychomotor slowing as an endophenotype and biomarker for schizophrenia.
- To highlight the utility of psychomotor slowing in identifying at-risk individuals and monitoring illness course.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing evidence from diverse methodologies and research designs.
- Analysis of studies investigating psychomotor slowing in relation to genetic vulnerability, disease processes, and recovery.
- Examination of cognitive and motor execution deficits associated with psychomotor slowing.
Main Results:
- Psychomotor slowing reflects genetic vulnerability and is sensitive to schizophrenia's disease processes.
- Cognitive deficits, particularly in planning and response selection, are prominent in psychomotor slowing.
- Psychomotor slowing predicts transition in high-risk individuals and correlates with symptoms and recovery.
Conclusions:
- Psychomotor slowing is a promising endophenotype and biomarker for schizophrenia.
- It aids in identifying individuals at high risk for the disorder.
- It can be used to track illness progression and recovery in patients.
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