Longitudinal evaluation of the psychomotor syndrome in schizophrenia

Little is known about the longitudinal course of psychomotor signs and symptoms after illness onset in schizophrenia. Therefore, a 1-year follow-up study was conducted in which patients with schizophrenia were assessed three times with an extensive battery of psychomotor rating scales and tests. The syndromic structure of psychomotor symptoms was also studied. In accordance with a neurodevelopmental view on schizophrenia, psychomotor functioning was found to remain stable or improve slightly. Prospective studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to rule out the possibility of neurodegeneration in subgroups of patients and to evaluate possible covariation in the course of psychomotor symptoms.