Authors KR Hanes, DG Andrewes, C Pantelis, E Chiu
Title Subcortical dysfunction in schizophrenia: A comparison with
Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease
Discipline Neurosciences & Behavior
Document type Article
Language English
Address Hanes KR, Univ Melbourne, Dept Psychol, Parkville, Vic 3052, AUSTRALIA
ISBN/ISSN 0920-9964
Publisher Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
Abstract Neuropsychological performance in 20 chronic schizophrenic
patients was contrasted to 25 Parkinson's disease, 12 Huntington's disease
patients and 26 normal controls on measures shown to be sensitive to
subcortical dysfunction. Some overlap was observed in the performance of
the schizophrenic and basal ganglia groups on tasks of executive and
mnestic function, but the general pattern indicated significant
differences in performance. Notably, in contrast to the two basal ganglia
groups, there was no evidence of slowed thinking, or impaired motor
function in schizophrenia, which are considered hallmarks of subcortical
grey matter disease. An association was observed between poor performance
on the tests of executive function and the severity of neg ative symptoms.
Our findings suggest that schizophrenia is not associated with primary
subcortical impairment, but is more likely to reflect frontotemporal
dysfunction. We consider that the similarities between this disorder and
subcortical degenerative s yndromes may be due to a difficulty in
generating action in schizophrenia, perhaps arising from dorsolateral
prefrontal disconnection.
-----------------------------------------------------------
TRW Spacecraft Operations East
14320 Sullyfield Circle
Chantilly VA 22021
(703) 802-1863
