Motor dysfunctions as an intermediate phenotype of schizophrenia: a systematic review

01/09/2026

AI Summary

Primary motor disorders constitute an intermediate phenotype influencing clinical presentation and variability in schizophrenia.
Motor symptoms are linked to impaired neuroontogenesis and represent a distinct domain with specific pathophysiological mechanisms.
Methodologically rigorous, strictly controlled multimodal studies are needed to validate diagnostic relevance, elucidate neurobiological correlates, and evaluate clinical ramifications.

AI Summary

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted without filters across the eLibrary, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, using keywords including «motor phenotype of schizophrenia», «abnormal involuntary movements in schizophrenic spectrum disorders», and «primary motor dysfunctions,» in both Russian and English.

RESULTS: This review includes 53 sources that focus on the pathogenesis and clinical variability of motor dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia.

The emphasis is on the necessity of methodologically robust, strictly controlled multimodal studies aimed at validating the diagnostic relevance of motor dysfunctions, elucidating their neurobiological correlates, and evaluating their clinical ramifications across the spectrum of schizophrenic disorders.

Basic summary

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2026;126(8):51-58. doi: 10.17116/jnevro202612608151.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To organize and summarize current data on the role of primary motor disorders in the clinical presentation of schizophrenia, specifically addressing their diagnostic and prognostic significance, alongside the neurobiological mechanisms underlying their development.

RESULTS: This review includes 53 sources that focus on the pathogenesis and clinical variability of motor dysfunctions in patients with schizophrenia. These dysfunctions contribute to an intermediate phenotype of the disorder. The emphasis is on the necessity of methodologically robust, strictly controlled multimodal studies aimed at validating the diagnostic relevance of motor dysfunctions, elucidating their neurobiological correlates, and evaluating their clinical ramifications across the spectrum of schizophrenic disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this systematic review showed that motor symptoms are intricately linked to impaired neuroontogenesis and constitute a distinct domain characterized by its own pathophysiological framework.

PMID:42676199 | DOI:10.17116/jnevro202612608151

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