Neurological soft signs in individuals with schizotypal personality features

Abstract

Objective: The current study attempted to examine the prevalence of neurological soft signs and their relationships with schizotypal traits in individuals with psychometrically defined schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) features. Method: Sixty-four individuals with SPD-proneness and 51 without SPD-proneness were recruited for the present study. The soft signs subscales of the Cambridge Neurological Inventory were administered to all participants; the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) was administered to SPD-proneness and non-SPD-proneness participants. Results: The SPD-proneness participants demonstrated significantly higher prevalence of soft signs than those without SPD-proneness. SPQ subscales were significantly associated with ratings of motor coordination, sensory integration and total soft signs. Conclusion: These findings suggest that neurological soft signs are trait markers of schizophrenia. © 2010 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.