BackgroundSchizotypy, or the set of personality traits related to schizophrenia, is considered an endophenotypic manifestation that is more represented in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia than in the general population. The assessment of schizotypy is primarily based on self-reports, and for this reason it presents several limitations. In order to assess schizotypy, this study proposes a diagnostic instrument based on clinical reports.MethodsA sample of 66 subjects, composed of 25 outpatients with schizophrenia, 18 siblings of these patients and 23 healthy controls, was subjected to the personality assessment test SWAP-200 by trained clinical interviewers. To test the hypothesis of the difference between the profiles of the Personality Disorders within the schizophrenia spectrum, a Multivariate Analysis of Variance and subsequent planned comparisons were conducted.ResultsPatients with schizophrenia scored higher than both their siblings and the controls on all SWAP-200 scales; their siblings, compared to the healthy controls, showed significant statistical differences, with higher mean scores for paranoid (F(1,63) = 7.02; p = 0.01), schizoid (F(1,63) = 6.56; p = 0.013) and schizotypal (F(1,63) = 6.47; p = 0.013) traits (PD T scores of Cluster A and Q-factor scores for the schizoid scale [F(1,63) = 6.47; p = 0.013]).ConclusionsConsistent with previous data, first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia scored higher on schizophrenia-related personality traits than a general population comparison sample. SWAP-200, as an alternative diagnostic instrument to self-report measures, is able to reveal the higher prevalence of schizotypal traits in siblings of patients with schizophrenia, suggesting its possible use as a complementary instrument for the assessment of schizophrenia.

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The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a neurogenetic disorder resulting from a hemizygous deletion. Individuals with 22q11DS present with a wide range of clinical manifestations; an increased risk of behavioral and neurocognitive sequelae throughout development have been reported. Approximately 30% of individuals develops a psychotic disorder in adolescence or early adulthood, making this syndrome one of the largest known genetic risk factors for schizophrenia.The aim of this study is to evaluate some psychophysiological aspects in patients with DiGeorge syndrome in the attempt to recognize earlier specific features able to provide pre-clinic evidence predictive of a possible evolution towards schizophrenia.Eight subjects with 22q11DS (median age 28,6-29,8±2,3ys), eight psychotic patients and eight matched healthy controls underwent a psychophysiological assessment. CNV and P300 (oddball and Novel paradigm) were recorded. CNV amplitude (total area and two temporal windows, W1 and W2), and P3 parameters were measured.A total CNV area decrease was found in 22q11DS with respect to psychotic and healthy controls (p=0.04 and p=0.07 respectively). A slight difference was evident at W1 in 22q11DS patients and psychotics vs controls. A N1 latency reduction was observed in 22q11DS patients during Novelty P3 paradigm (p=0.03). Psychophysiological changes in CNV and P3 latency and amplitude have been repeatedly found in schizophrenic patients and interpreted as a deficit in attentional processes.Data related to our DiGeorge subjects suggest a possible frontal involvement of attentional processes in absence of a psychiatric symptoms. A follow-up study could confirm a predictive role of these ERPs findings in this syndrome

Introduction: Schizotypy and Cluster A personality profiles are more represented in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia than in the general population. This study presents two diagnostic instruments for the assessment of cluster A personality profiles: the Structured Clinical Interview for personality disorders Axis II (SCID-II) and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP 200). Objectives: 1)Verify sensitivity of SCID-II and SWAP-200 to detect schizophrenia spectrum personality traits; 2) Assess the prevalence of the traits and personality disorders (PD) related to cluster A. Aim: Evaluate diagnostic sensitivity of these instruments in detecting schizotypy and cluster A personality profiles, that are ultra high risk predictors for psychosis.