SYMPTOM SEGREGATION IN CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIA - THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THOUGHT-DISORDER

Forty-two schizophrenics in chronic stages were evaluated using the st andard and modified SANS for negative symptoms, and the SADS for posit ive symptoms. The results of principal components analysis of the two scales were then compared. Analysis of the modified scale scores showe d that thought disorder belonged to a unique syndrome orthogonal to bo th the positive and negative syndromes, which was designated disorgani zation syndrome. Cluster analysis of the modified scores revealed two major clusters, one of which consisted of the subjects with high disor ganization syndrome scores. This subgroup was not identified using the standard SANS scores for analysis. The disorganization syndrome inclu ded thought disorder, bizarre behavior, and attentional impairment. Si milarities between Hecker's hebephrenia and the disorganization syndro me detected in the present study were noted.