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Stability of Neurological Soft Signs in Chronically Hospitalized Schizophrenic Patients

Received October 24, 1997; revised January 30, 1998; accepted March 3, 1998. From the Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical School, and Manhattan Psychiatric Center, New York, New York. Address correspondence to Dr. Smith, Department of Psychiatry, New York University, c/o P.O. Box 316, Hewlett, NY 11557-0316; e-mail: rcsmith{at}pol.net

Neurological soft signs (NSS) have been shown to be more prevalent in chronically ill and in acute or never-medicated patients with schizophrenia. If neurological soft signs are trait-like, then NSS scores should be relatively stable over time and should not be related to changes in patients' psychopathology or medication. Chronically hospitalized patients with schizophrenia were rated two or more times over a 5-year period with standard NSS and psychopathology scales. Total NSS scores were highly correlated over time, and changes in NSS scores at two time points were not significantly related to changes in psychopathology scores. Total NSS scores did not change significantly in a subsample rated when they were first treated with a traditional neuroleptic and later with an atypical neuroleptic. The findings suggest total NSS scores may have some characteristics of a trait-like feature in chronically hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

Key Words: Schizophrenia • Inpatients • Neurological Soft Signs

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