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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
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Measurement of Fronto-limbic Activity Using an Emotional Oddball Task in Children with Familial High Risk for Schizophrenia
Published on: December 2, 2015
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Digit ratio as an endophenotype in a schizophrenia population
Wilhelm D B Nieuwoudt1, Inge M Smit1, Dana Niehaus1
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
Summary
Digit ratio (2D:4D) may serve as a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia in South Africa. However, it was not found to correlate with symptom severity or significantly differ between sexes or age of onset groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Schizophrenia presents heterogeneously, with origins of variation unclear.
- South Africa has a significant population affected by this debilitating mental health condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of digit ratio (2D:4D) as an endophenotype in a South African schizophrenia cohort.
- To analyze the relationship between 2D:4D and clinical characteristics of schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data and digit measurements from images in a South African schizophrenia population.
- Calculation of 2D:4D ratios and statistical comparisons based on sex, age of onset, and symptom presence.
- Linear modeling to assess correlations between 2D:4D and symptom severity using PANSS and SANS scores.
Main Results:
- Digit ratio (2D:4D) did not significantly differ between male and female participants.
- No significant correlation was found between 2D:4D and the severity of positive or negative schizophrenia symptoms.
- Digit ratio means showed no significant association with the age of onset of schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia within the studied South African population.
- 2D:4D may be less identifiable as a schizophrenia biomarker compared to other physical anomalies and neurological soft signs.
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