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Krukow P, Domagała A, Silverstein SM. Specific association between retinal neural layer thinning and neurological soft signs in schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024; 274:1237-1240. [PMID: 38244078 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-023-01742-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
There is growing evidence of disproportionate retinal thinning in schizophrenia, but doubts are still raised regarding its significance in the context of the neurobiology of the disease. Therefore, we examined whether these abnormalities are significantly associated with neurological soft signs (NSS) which are closely related to the risk of schizophrenia. This cross-sectional study analyzing linear correlations between variables involved 56 schizophrenia inpatients and 60 controls. The results confirmed such relationships, and only in the patient sample. In addition, retinal abnormalities and NSS were significantly correlated with duration of illness. These findings provide further evidence for linked neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative aspects of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Krukow
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Adam Domagała
- Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Steven M Silverstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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Zebrack JE, Gao J, Verhey B, Tian L, Stave C, Farhadian B, Ma M, Silverman M, Xie Y, Tran P, Thienemann M, Wilson JL, Frankovich J. Prevalence of Neurological Soft Signs at Presentation in Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.26.24306193. [PMID: 38746142 PMCID: PMC11092680 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.24306193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Importance Studies of brain imaging and movements during REM sleep indicate basal ganglia involvement in pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). Characterizing neurological findings commonly present in patients with PANS could improve diagnostic accuracy. Objective To determine the prevalence of neurological soft signs which may reflect basal ganglia dysfunction (NSS-BG) in youth presenting with PANS and whether clinical characteristics of PANS correlate with NSS-BG. Design, Setting, and Participants: 135 new patients who were evaluated at the Stanford Children's Immune Behavioral Health Clinic between November 1, 2014 and March 1, 2020 and met strict PANS criteria were retrospectively reviewed for study inclusion. 16 patients were excluded because they had no neurological exam within the first three visits and within three months of clinical presentation. Main Outcomes and Measures The following NSS-BG were recorded from medical record review: 1) glabellar tap reflex, 2) tongue movements, 3) milkmaid's grip, 4) choreiform movements, 5) spooning, and 6) overflow movements. We included data from prospectively collected symptoms and impairment scales. Results The study included 119 patients: mean age at PANS onset was 8.2 years, mean age at initial presentation was 10.4 years, 55.5% were male, and 73.9% were non-Hispanic White. At least one NSS-BG was observed in 95/119 patients (79.8%). Patients had 2.1 NSS-BG on average. Patients with 4 or more NSS-BG had higher scores of global impairment (p=0.052) and more symptoms (p=0.008) than patients with 0 NSS-BG. There was no significant difference in age at visit or reported caregiver burden. On Poisson and linear regression, the number of NSS-BG was associated with global impairment (2.857, 95% CI: 0.092-5.622, p=0.045) and the number of symptoms (1.049, 95% CI: 1.018-1.082, p=0.002), but not age or duration of PANS at presentation. Conclusions and Relevance We found a high prevalence of NSS-BG in patients with PANS and an association between NSS-BG and disease severity that is not attributable to younger age. PANS may have a unique NSS-BG profile, suggesting that targeted neurological exams may support PANS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E. Zebrack
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jaynelle Gao
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Britta Verhey
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lu Tian
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christopher Stave
- Lane Medical Library, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bahare Farhadian
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Meiqian Ma
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Silverman
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yuhuan Xie
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paula Tran
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Margo Thienemann
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Child Development, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jenny L. Wilson
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer Frankovich
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford PANS/Immune Behavioral Health Clinic and PANS Research Program at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
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Tsapakis EM, Mitkani CA, Fountoulakis KN. Neurological soft signs and schizophrenia. CNS Spectr 2023; 28:657-661. [PMID: 36924179 DOI: 10.1017/s1092852923001189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Neurological soft signs (NSS) are likely to represent abnormal neurodevelopment and aberration in neural maturation and connectivity. They may not be unique to schizophrenia, but they appear to be a trait characteristic in psychosis and therefore could serve as an objective measure for the assessment of serious psychiatric disorder in the prodromal phase, at onset, and along the course of the disease. Evidence so far proposes that NSS are independent of antipsychotic treatment and therefore constitute a trait symptom, independent of the illness stage and medication. Somatomotor and somatosensory regions, spatial orientation, and visual processing areas, cerebellum, and basal ganglia are implicated as possible structural substrates of NSS. Several studies have examined the relationship between NSS and schizophrenia positive, negative symptoms and deficit syndrome; however, results have been so far ambiguous. Neurocognitive symptoms have been moderately related to NSS suggesting that neurocognitive deficits may contribute to the construct of NSS. Regardless of the fact that NSS are not unique to schizophrenia but extend across to the schizotypy continuum, they may help identify individuals at risk of developing schizophrenia later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Tsapakis
- Agios Charalampos Mental Health Clinic, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Calypso A Mitkani
- Department of Neurology, Agios Pavlos General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Kalamaria, Greece
| | - Konstantinos N Fountoulakis
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Nwiyi OK, Ohaeri JU, Jidda MS, Danjuma IA, Onu JU, Oriji SO, Uwakwe R. Neurological soft signs in first episode psychosis among psychiatric hospital patients and its relationship with dimensions of psychopathology: A comparative study. Niger Postgrad Med J 2023; 30:183-192. [PMID: 37675694 DOI: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_77_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Neurological soft signs (NSS), as subtle, nonlocalising neurological abnormalities, are considered as the potential markers of psychosis. However, comparative studies of antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and first degree relatives (FDRs) are uncommon. We compared the prevalence and pattern of NSS in FEPs, their healthy FDRs and a healthy non-relatives' control group (HC), highlighted the relationship between NSS and psychopathology and proposed cut-off scores for prevalence studies. Materials and Methods Two hundred and two participants per group were recruited. The FEPs were consecutive attendees; FDRs were accompanying caregivers; while the HC were from hospital staff. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Neurological Evaluation Scale were used to assess psychopathology dimensions and NSS, respectively. Results Using an item score of two ('substantial impairment'), the prevalence of at least one NSS was: 91.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.7%-94.9%), 16.8% (95% CI: 11.8%-22.7%) and 6.5% (95% CI: 3.5%-10.9%), respectively, for FEP, FDRs and HC. FEPs were impaired in a broad range of signs. The noteworthy relationships were as follows: (i) a significant correlation between the negative symptoms' dimension versus number of NSS (r = 0.4), and NSS total score (r = 0.3), (ii) the anxiety/depression dimension correlated negatively with number of NSS (r = -0.3) and (iii) NSS cut across psychosis categories. We propose a cut-off score of ≥ 4 for the number of signs signifying probable impairment. Conclusion The findings indicate that, subject to further studies, NSS could be regarded as a broader phenotype of neurologic dysfunction associated with psychosis proness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obumneme Kenechukwu Nwiyi
- Department of Mental Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Jude Uzoma Ohaeri
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Mohammed Said Jidda
- Department of Mental Health, College of Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
| | | | - Justus Uchenna Onu
- Department of Mental Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Sunday Onyemaechi Oriji
- Department of Mental Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
| | - Richard Uwakwe
- Department of Mental Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria
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Petrescu C, Petrescu DM, Marian G, Focseneanu BE, Iliuta FP, Ciobanu CA, Papacocea S, Ciobanu AM. Neurological Soft Signs in Schizophrenia, a Picture of the Knowledge in the Last Decade: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11101471. [PMID: 37239757 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11101471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) are subtle neurological abnormalities that are more common in schizophrenia patients than in healthy individuals and have been regularly observed in neuroleptic-naive first-episode patients, supporting the hypothesis that they are an intrinsic component of schizophrenia. (2) Methods: a review of articles published in the last ten years (from January 2013 to January 2023) was carried out on articles published in ScienceDirect and PubMed, by following the PRISMA Statement extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), which evaluated the impact of NSS in correlation with the symptomatology, neuroleptic treatment, and the cerebral structural changes of patients with schizophrenia. (3) Results: thirty articles were included, among them twelve included MRI structural evaluation and four studies with a longitudinal design. (4) Conclusions: interest in researching NSS has increased in recent years, but questions remain about their origin and relationship to schizophrenia symptoms, thus this study aims to fill in information gaps in the hope that future research will help provide individualized treatment. It is suggested that NSS in schizophrenia might have an inherited genetic relationship pattern, thus being in line with a trait viewpoint. Most of the research revealed that schizophrenia patients had higher NSS scores than healthy controls, however, they were rather similar to their first-degree relatives, thus, also arguing in favor of a trait perspective. The greatest improvement in scores is seen in those with a remitting course, as shown by declining NSS ratings concurrent with symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Petrescu
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Psychiatry, Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Diana M Petrescu
- Neurology Clinic Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriela Marian
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, 050045 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Titu Maiorescu University of Medicine, 040441 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Brindusa E Focseneanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Titu Maiorescu University of Medicine, 040441 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Floris Petru Iliuta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Serban Papacocea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adela M Ciobanu
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Psychiatry, Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry, 041914 Bucharest, Romania
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