Movement Abnormalities: A Putative Biomarker of Risk for Psychosis

The link between movement abnormalities and psychotic disorders is presumed to reflect common neural mechanisms that influence both motor functions and vulnerability to psychosis. The high-risk or prodromal period preceding psychotic disorders represents both a viable point for intervention and a developmental period with high potential to shed light on etiology. In this chapter, we provide a background for understanding subtypes of movement abnormalities and underlying neurological mechanisms within the context of a neurodevelopmental conceptualization of psychosis and schizophrenia. We use these sections to provide a framework for reviewing and integrating studies of movement abnormalities in high-risk populations. These data are then evaluated to determine the viability of movement abnormalities as a biomarker. Potential directions for movement and biomarker research are evaluated and discussed.