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.

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Forty-five patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder admitted to hospital for the first time had a neurological examination, including integrative sensory and complex motor acts, by a trained neurologist. The patients were studied by CT (computerized tomography) and rCBF (regional cerebral blood flow) as well. A control group of 24 healthy volunteers was included. The patients had significantly more neurological abnormalities (NA) than the healthy volunteers. Medication did not explain the discrepancy. The NA were associated with sulcal enlargement and smaller brains as visualized by CT but not with ventricular enlargement. There was no association between the regional flow values and NA.

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