title: [Functional magnetic resonance tomography of movement disorders in patients with schizophrenia].
abstract: Neurological soft signs (NSS), which are minor motor and sensory deficits, e.g., during finger-to-thumb opposition, are frequently found in schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the cerebral activation pattern in ten schizophrenic patients and ten healthy volunteers using functional MRI.
  
  
  METHODS
  fMRI was performed using a modified FLASH sequence (TR/TE/alpha = 100/60/40 degrees) and a conventional 1.5 T MR scanner. Color-coded statistical parametric maps based on Student's t-test were calculated. Activation strength was quantified using a 5 x 6 grid over-lay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The volunteers showed a higher activation strength during left hand movement compared to right hand movement. This lateralization effect was reversed in patients who showed overall reduced activation strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disturbed interhemispheric balance in schizophrenic patients during motor task performance can be demonstrated using fMRI. These findings support the hypothesis that changes in the sensorimotor cortex may be involved in the development of NSS.
authors.affiliation: Forschungsschwerpunkt Radiologische Diagnostik und Therapie, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baudendistel
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Knopp
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Schad
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Flömer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Kaick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology