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Schizophrenia and disordered sensorimotor control: challenges, mechanisms and opportunities
Albert Joseph1,2, Rick A Adams3,4, Fiona Gaughran1,5,6
1Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|March 7, 2026
Summary
Sensorimotor abnormalities are common in schizophrenia and may be an integral part of the disease, not just side effects. Improved characterization could lead to better treatments for this neuropsychiatric condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a common, disabling neuropsychiatric condition.
- Sensorimotor abnormalities (e.g., dyskinesia, parkinsonism) are prevalent but often misattributed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the prevalence and characteristics of sensorimotor disturbances in schizophrenia.
- To demonstrate sensorimotor dysfunction as an integral manifestation of schizophrenia.
- To explore how improved characterization can aid treatment development.
Main Methods:
- Review of sensorimotor abnormalities in schizophrenia, including medication-naïve individuals.
- Examination of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in relation to sensorimotor function.
- Focus on instrumental sensorimotor assessment.
Main Results:
- Sensorimotor dysfunction is prevalent and may be inherent to schizophrenia.
- Challenges exist in accurate phenotyping of these disturbances.
- Medication-naïve individuals exhibit these abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Sensorimotor dysfunction is likely an integral aspect of schizophrenia.
- Better characterization, particularly via instrumental assessment, is crucial.
- This understanding may improve schizophrenia management and novel treatment development.
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