ABNORMAL GROWTH OF CULTURED SKIN FIBROBLASTS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR PREMORBID HISTORY IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

The relations of abnormal growth of cultured skin fibroblasts, as mani fest in prolonged doubling time, and a history of impaired childhood p remorbid functioning, separately for social and school (instrumental) functioning were examined in 22 schizophrenic patients. Prolonged doub ling time (> 2 weeks) was significantly associated with poorer childho od social functioning, even after controlling for variance due to age, sex, race, and age at onset of illness. Doubling time was not associa ted with school performance scores. The findings indicate that the cel lular or molecular process(es) underlying abnormal growth of skin fibr oblasts may be involved in, or associated with, aberrant biological pr ocesses that contribute to early dyssocial behavior in schizophrenic p atients.