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Neurological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients: a prospective follow‐up study 5 years after first admission
Author(s) -
Madsen A. L.,
Vorstrup S.,
Rubin P.,
Larsen J. K.,
Hemmingsen R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10832.x
Subject(s) - psychopathology , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychosis , pediatrics , disease , medicine , central nervous system disease , prospective cohort study , neurological disorder , psychiatry , psychology
Madsen AL, Vorstrup S, Rubin P, Larsen JK, Hemmingsen R. Neurological abnormalities in schizophrenic patients: a prospective follow‐up study 5 years after first admission. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100 : 119–125. © Munksgaard 1999. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the temporal stability of neurological abnormalities in first‐episode schizophrenic patients, and to clarify the relationships between such abnormalities and psychopathology. Method: A total of 18 schizophrenic patients, 11 non‐schizophrenic patients and 10 healthy volunteers were examined neurologically at first admission and 5 years later. Results: A significant increase in the number of neurological abnormalities was seen in schizophrenic patients with genetic predisposition and in patients with a non‐remitting course of disease. Birth complications had an impact on the occurrence of neurological abnormalities at first admission. Conclusion: The association between a deteriorating course of disease and neurological impairment supports the theory that any possible impairment of the brain in schizophrenia is aggravated during the first 5 years of disease.