title: Fluctuating asymmetry in dermatoglyphic traits in schizophrenic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to establish the validity of fluctuating asymmetry in dermatoglyphic traits as a sign of prenatal injury of schizophrenic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The subjects for this study were 76 schizophrenic inpatients (43 men, 33 women, mean age 31.47 yrs) who satisfied DSM-IV criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia and 82 mentally healthy subjects of Bulgarian origin (mean age 39.24 yrs). Fingerprint variables obtained by the ink technique were examined. The fingerprints were read using the method of Cummins and Midlo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The schizophrenics tended to show higher degree of discordance in the fingerprint patterns and ridge counts on homologous fingers than the control subjects. There were evident sex-related differences between the schizophrenic patients and the control group of subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluctuating asymmetry appears a promising method for study of schizophrenia, which could contribute to the establishment of connection between prenatal exogenous influences and structural brain alterations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Stefan T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Sivkov
authors.forename: Valentin H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Akabaliev
authors.forename: Katerina V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Akabalieva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000196:embryology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D011247:Pregnancy; D049188:Prenatal Injuries; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*