Neurological soft signs in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Neurological soft signs (NSS) are minor neurological signs indicating non-specific cerebral dysfunction. Their presence has been documented extensively in schizophrenia but not during the first psychotic episode.


OBJECTIVE
To review studies that have specifically investigated NSS at the time of the first psychotic episode.


METHODS
A review of studies investigating neurological function in first-episode psychosis, using a clinical examination.


RESULTS
Patients with first-episode psychosis show an excess of NSS, particularly in the areas of motor coordination and sequencing, sensory integration and in developmental reflexes. Furthermore, NSS may be associated with a specific laterality pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
More studies on first-onset schizophrenia are needed, evaluating both sensory and motor neurological domains (scoring separately for the two sides of the body), integrating this knowledge with neuroimaging findings and clarifying the role of NSS as markers of cognitive dysfunction.
Dazzan
Paola
P
Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF. spcbpad@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Murray
Robin M
RM
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012018:Reflex; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents