title: Mixed handedness is associated with the Disorganization dimension of schizotypy in a young male population.
abstract: Within the ASPIS (Athens Study of Psychosis Proneness and Incidence of Schizophrenia) we sought out to examine in accordance with previous reports if a deviation from dextrality is associated with an augmented endorsement of self rated schizotypal personality traits in a large population of 1129 young male army recruits. Schizotypal traits were assessed using the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and hand preference membership was determined by applying stringent criteria derived from the Annett Handedness Questionnaire and the Porac-Coren questionnaire of lateral preferences. By adopting three different definitions of hand preference membership, we confirmed an association between mixed handedness and increased schizotypal personality traits, and in particular with Disorganization schizotypy that encompasses aspects of self perceived difficulties in verbal communication. Non-verbal cognitive ability, as indexed by measurement of non-verbal IQ, sustained attention and working memory was not associated with hand preference. We argue that a deviation from normal cerebral lateralization, as indexed by mixed handedness, is associated with mild sub clinical language dysfunction, rather than non-verbal cognitive ability, and this might be relevant to the expression of psychosis phenotype.
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI) 2 Soranou tou Efessiou str. P.O. BOX 66517, 156 01 Papagou, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Ave., 11528 Athens, Greece. nistefan@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Nicholas C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Stefanis
authors.forename: Silia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitoratou
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smyrnis
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Evdokimidis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hatzimanolis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ntzoufras
authors.forename: Costas N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Stefanis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012562:Schizophrenia, Disorganized / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires