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. 2022 Sep;23(7):525-536.
doi: 10.1080/15622975.2021.2013094. Epub 2021 Dec 17.

Handedness as a neurodevelopmental marker in schizophrenia: Results from the FACE-SZ cohort

Jasmina Mallet  1   2   3 , Ophélia Godin  3   4 , Yann Le Strat  1   2   3 , Nicolas Mazer  1   2   3 , Fabrice Berna  3   5 , Laurent Boyer  6 , Delphine Capdevielle  3   7 , Julie Clauss  3   5 , Isabelle Chéreau  3   8 , Thierry D'Amato  3   9 , Julien Dubreucq  3   10 , Sylvain Leigner  3   10 , Pierre-Michel Llorca  3   8 , David Misdrahi  3   11 , Christine Passerieux  3   12 , Romain Rey  3   9 , Baptiste Pignon  3   4 , Mathieu Urbach  3   12   13 , Franck Schürhoff  3   4 , Guillaume Fond  3   6 , Caroline Dubertret  1   2   3 ; FACE-SZ (FondaMental Academic Center of Expertise for Schizophrenia Group)
Affiliations

Handedness as a neurodevelopmental marker in schizophrenia: Results from the FACE-SZ cohort

Jasmina Mallet et al. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: High rates of non-right-handedness (NRH) including mixed-handedness have been reported in neurodevelopmental disorders. In schizophrenia (SZ), atypical handedness has been inconsistently related to impaired features. We aimed to determine whether SZ subjects with NRH and mixed-handedness had poorer clinical and cognitive outcomes compared to their counterparts.

Methods: 667 participants were tested with a battery of neuropsychological tests, and assessed for laterality using the Edinburg Handedness Inventory. Clinical symptomatology was assessed. Learning disorders and obstetrical complications were recorded. Biological parameters were explored.

Results: The prevalence of NRH and mixed-handedness was high (respectively, 42.4% and 34.1%). In the multivariable analyses, NRH was associated with cannabis use disorder (p = 0.045). Mixed-handedness was associated with positive symptoms (p = 0.041), current depressive disorder (p = 0.005)), current cannabis use (p = 0.024) and less akathisia (p = 0.019). A history of learning disorder was associated with NRH. No association was found with cognition, trauma history, obstetrical complications, psychotic symptoms, peripheral inflammation.

Conclusions: Non-right and mixed-handedness are very high in patients with SZ, possibly reflecting a neurodevelopmental origin. NRH is associated with learning disorders and cannabis use. Mixed-handedness is associated with positive symptoms, current depressive disorder, cannabis use and less akathisia. However, this study did not confirm greater cognitive impairment in these patients.

Keywords: Schizophrenia; cognition; handedness; neurodevelopment; psychosis.

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