Raymond C K Chan1, Ting Xu, R Walter Heinrichs, Yue Yu, Qi-yong Gong. 1. Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neurosciences Laboratory, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China. rckchan@psych.ac.cn
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neurological soft signs (NSS) have been associated with the neuropsychopathology of schizophrenia, and have been proposed as candidate endophenotypes for this clinical group. However, the prevalence rate of NSS in non-psychotic first-degree relatives is not fully known. The authors systematically and quantitatively reviewed the literature to determine the magnitude of difference between: (1) first-degree non-psychotic relatives of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls, and (2) between schizophrenia patients and their non-psychotic relatives. METHODS: An article search and meta-analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software package to quantify group differences. Mean effect sizes (standardized group mean differences) and associated confidence intervals along with homogeneity and publication bias tests and statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Search procedures identified 11 independent studies that met the inclusion criteria. Quantification of NSS differences yielded a mean effect size of 0.81 for schizophrenia patients and their non-psychotic relatives and 0.97 for non-psychotic relatives of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings show that there are large group differences in NSS prevalence between patients with schizophrenia, non-psychotic relatives, and healthy controls. These results are consistent with the argument that NSS are familial in nature, segregate with the illness and may be valid and useful endophenotypes. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Neurological soft signs (NSS) have been associated with the neuropsychopathology of schizophrenia, and have been proposed as candidate endophenotypes for this clinical group. However, the prevalence rate of NSS in non-psychotic first-degree relatives is not fully known. The authors systematically and quantitatively reviewed the literature to determine the magnitude of difference between: (1) first-degree non-psychotic relatives of schizophreniapatients and healthy controls, and (2) between schizophreniapatients and their non-psychotic relatives. METHODS: An article search and meta-analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software package to quantify group differences. Mean effect sizes (standardized group mean differences) and associated confidence intervals along with homogeneity and publication bias tests and statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Search procedures identified 11 independent studies that met the inclusion criteria. Quantification of NSS differences yielded a mean effect size of 0.81 for schizophreniapatients and their non-psychotic relatives and 0.97 for non-psychotic relatives of schizophreniapatients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings show that there are large group differences in NSS prevalence between patients with schizophrenia, non-psychotic relatives, and healthy controls. These results are consistent with the argument that NSS are familial in nature, segregate with the illness and may be valid and useful endophenotypes. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors: Raymond C K Chan; Weizhen Xie; Fu-lei Geng; Ya Wang; Simon S Y Lui; Chuan-yue Wang; Xin Yu; Eric F C Cheung; Robert Rosenthal Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2015-12-28 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Raymond C K Chan; Jia Huang; Qing Zhao; Ya Wang; Yun-yao Lai; Nan Hong; David H K Shum; Eric F C Cheung; Xin Yu; Paola Dazzan Journal: Neuroimage Clin Date: 2015-09-18 Impact factor: 4.881