A comparative study of neurological soft signs in patients suffering from Schizophrenia, their first-degree relatives and patients suffering from Bipolar affective Disorder, their first-degree relatives.

INTRODUCTION: NSS can be a potential endophenotype for patients suffering from BPAD & Schizophrenia. This study provides us an opportunity to endorse the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in both the disorders & compare it between the same. AIM: To determine frequency of neurological soft signs in patients with schizophrenia than in those with bipolar disorder as well as in their first degree relatives. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross Sectional, observational, non-interventional, single time assessment, hospital-based study was carried out on 60 patients & 60 first degree relatives suffering from each disorder. Evaluation done using PANSS, MADRS, YMRS and Cambridge Neurological Inventory (Part 2). Results were obtained, tabulated and analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version17:0 Chicago USA. RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia had more neurological soft signs than their first degree relatives (p< 0.05). Patients with BPAD did not have significantly more NSS than their first degree relatives (p>0.05).Patients with schizophrenia had more neurological soft signs than with BPAD (p< 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between first degree relatives of patients of either disorders (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study along with other studies suggests role of common genetic and/or environmental factors in the pathogenesis of these abnormalities in the two groups.