Do clinical features relate to theory of mind, empathy and 2D:4D in schizophrenia?. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akgül, Özge; Küçükçoban, Onur; Binbay, Tolga; Bora, Emre; Alptekin, Köksal; Akdede, Berna Binnur
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology. Volume 27:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 380
• Page End: 385
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Anthropometry -- empathy -- schizophrenia -- symptoms -- theory of mind; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry; Psychopharmacology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2017.1373725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-0573

Abstract

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: Digit ratios may be accepted as an indicator of level of prenatal androgen exposure during the fetal developmental period. Female-typical digit ratios have been suggested to be associated with better mentalizing and empathic abilities in general population. Recently, a number of studies have investigated the ratio of hand's second and fourth digit fingers (2D:4D) in schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that positive symptoms are related to female-biased 2D:4D and relatively less impaired social cognition in schizophrenia, negative dimension is related to male-biased 2D:4D ratio and more pronounced deficits in social cognition. METHOD: The study was carried out in 48 patients with schizophrenia and 48 healthy controls. Patients were evaluated by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). A digital caliper was used to measure 2D:4D finger lengths and social cognitive abilities were assessed using the Empathy Quotient (EQ) test and Reading Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET). RESULTS: Patients with schizophrenia had increased left 2D:4D finger lengths and showed poor theory of mind (ToM) and empathic abilities compared to healthy controls ( p < 0.05). It was found that negative symptoms but not male-biased 2D:4D ratio were significantly associated with impaired RMET performance ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that negative dimension is negatively related to the severity of deficits in social cognition in schizophrenia. There was no evidence for a significant effect of sexual dimorphism as measured by digit ratio on social cognition and symptoms in schizophrenia.