Neurological soft-signs and minor physical anomalies in schizophrenia: differential transmission within families.
Markers of vulnerability have been identified in schizophrenia, and among them, neurological soft-signs (NSS) and minor physical anomalies (MPAs) also seem to occur in biological relatives. The similarities of these developmental markers within families may depend on either genetic or non-genetic factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the intra-familial similarities of NSS and MPAs within 18 nuclear families (18 probands with schizophrenia and 36 of their non-psychotic parents). A general linear model showed similarities within families for NSS (intra-class coefficient [ICC] = 0.64; F = 2.6; df = 17.17; p = 0.02) but not for MPAs (ICC = -0.10; F = 0.7; df = 17.17; ns). We thus found a direct evidence for the intra-familial transmission of NSS but not of MPAs, suggesting that this morphological phenotypic trait could be more dependent on epigenetic influences.
Gourion
David
D
Service Hospitalo-Universitaire, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, 7 rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France. gourion@broca.inserm.fr
Goldberger
Céline
C
Bourdel
Marie-Chantal
MC
Bayle
Frank Jean
FJ
Millet
Bruno
B
Olie
Jean-Pierre
JP
Krebs
Marie-Odile
MO
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000328:Adult; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index