A Comparative Study on Neurological Soft Signs in Patients of Schizophrenia and Their First Degree Relatives

Abstract

Background:  Neurological soft signs (NSS) are those minute sensory and motor function impairments which have been found to be frequently associated with Schizophrenia patients.  NSS have been found to have a familial association. However the pattern of association of NSS with their first degree relatives needs to be evaluated.  There is paucity of Indian studies in this area.

Aim and Objectives :We aim to evaluate the pattern of neurological soft signs in patients of schizophrenia and first degree relatives (FDR) of the patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate the association between the patterns of Neurological soft signs in both groups to see whether there is a correlation between the two.

Methodology :Patients who are clinically diagnosed to have Schizophrenia using International Classification of Diseases - 10th revision (ICD-10) research criteria presenting to either Outpatient Unit or Inpatient Unit of Psychiatry Department of the AVBRH hospital will be selected. Only one of the FDRs of each patient will be selected for the study. NSS will be assessed by using Neurological Evaluation Scale (Original version) in both the patient and their FDRs. Later comparison will be made between both the groups using appropriate statistical methods.

Results : The Outcome of this study will help in establishing the association between NSS in patients of schizophrenia and their FDR. This study will help in evaluating the endophenotype status of NSS.

Conclusion :With this study we will be able to recognize the pattern of neurological soft signs in patients with Schizophrenia and the FDRs. It will help us to recognize whether the neurological soft signs are found more frequently in patients or first degree relatives of schizophrenia. It will answer whether neurological soft signs can be considered as endophenotypes of schizophrenia.