METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSING SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOPHRENIA SUBTYPE

摘要

A method and apparatus for diagnosing schizophrenia, schizophrenia disorder subgroup, or predisposition thereto in a test subject is disclosed. The meth od includes the steps of determining an interhemispheric switch rate of the tes t subject. In one embodiment, the interhemispheric switch rate of the test subject is under conditions of increasing rate of dichoptic reveral, and comparing the switch rate with a corresponding reference switch rate to diagnose presence or absence of schizophrenia, a schizophrenic disorder subgroup, or predisposition thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the interhemispheric switch rate is determined by measuring the rate of binocula r rivalry in the test subject. Also disclosed is use of a diagnostic method in genetic linkage studies for the identification of the molecular defect(s) underlying schizophrenia, and for the identification of compounds which may alleviate the disorder.