title: Preliminary evidence for an association between minor physical anomalies and second trimester neurodevelopment in schizophrenia.
abstract: Two types of markers, dermatoglyphics and minor physical anomalies, have been used as indicators of problems with fetal neurodevelopment in schizophrenia. The degree to which these markers overlap is not known. While it is agreed that abnormal dermatoglyphics reflect early second trimester maldevelopment, the timing of the development of minor physical anomalies has not been determined. Forty-six schizophrenic patients received assessments for minor physical anomalies, dermatoglyphics (right-left ridge count asymmetry and total finger ridge count), and information processing. Higher scores for minor physical anomalies were associated with greater dermatoglyphic asymmetry. Patients who had both types of indicators (high minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry) did not differ on information-processing measures from patients who had neither. On the basis of the timing of dermatoglyphic development (weeks 14-22 of gestation), the association between minor physical anomalies and dermatoglyphic asymmetry suggests that the relatively high rate of minor physical anomalies observed in schizophrenia can be considered to reflect at least second trimester maldevelopment.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Green
authors: H S
authors: HS
authors: Bracha
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Satz
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Christenson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers