Neurologic Signs of Schizophrenia

The various structural and biochemical abnormalities discussed in this unit are believed to account for both the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia. To conclude this unit, we will focus briefly on some neurologic signs seen in many people with schizophrenia. These signs are important because they can indicate the severity of the illness and a poor prognosis. Note, however, that they can also occur in other neurologic disorders. Nonlocalized neurologic signs are actions or behaviors that cannot be pinpointed to a specific location in the brain (they are also called "soft" signs).

In people with schizophrenia, nonlocalized neurologic signs may include:

• dysdiadochokinesia (clumsiness in performing rapidly alternating movements)
• astereognosis (partial or complete lack of ability to recognize objects by touch)
• primitive reflexes
• diminished dexterity
• mirroring (imitating the movements or gestures of others)

Other signs that may be observed in patients with schizophrenia include:

• tics (involuntary, compulsive, rapid, repetitive, stereotyped movement or vocalization that can be temporarily suppressed)
• grimacing
• impaired fine motor skills
• elevated rate of blinking
• abnormal blinking and an inability to move the eyes smoothly along a pat
• left-right confusion
• apraxia (inability to perform purposeful acts or to manipulate objects)