Factor structure of neurologic examination abnormalities in unmedicated schizophrenia

Author(s): Keshavan, M. S., Forman, S. D., Pieri, J. N., McLaughlin, N., Allen, D. N., vanKammen, D. P., Goldstein, G.

Journal/Book: Psychiat Res. 2000; 95: Customer Relations Manager Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate CO, Clare, Ireland. Elsevier Sci Ireland Ltd. 237-243.

Abstract: The heterogeneity and uncertain significance of neurologic exam abnormalities in schizophrenia prompted us to evaluate their factor structure. We administered a modified version of the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES) to 103 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia. Data were distilled by combining right- and left-side scores, and by eliminating superfluous, rarely abnormal and unreliable items from the analysis. Exploratory principal components analysis yielded four factors: repetitive motor tasks (fist-ring, fist-edge-palm, alternating fist-palm, dysdiadochokinesis); cognitive-perceptual tasks (memory, audiovisual integration, right-left orientation, face-hand test, rhythm tapping reproduction); balancing tasks (Romberg, tandem gait); and the palmomental reflex. Evaluation of the relationship between these factors and clinical and demographic variables revealed a robust correlation between the cognitive-perceptual factor and full-scale IQ score. This analysis is a step toward developing empirical subscales of a modified NES, which may provide insights into the nature of neurologic impairment in schizophrenia and may prove clinically useful.

Note: Article Goldstein G, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare Syst, Highland Dr Div 7180, 151 R, 7180 Highland Dr, Pittsburgh,PA 15206 USA

Keyword(s): schizophrenia; neurological examination; factor analysis; SOFT SIGNS

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