Schizotypal traits in adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: validity, reliability and risk for psychosis

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1005-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Fonseca-Pedrero ◽  
M. Debbané ◽  
M. Schneider ◽  
D. Badoud ◽  
S. Eliez

BackgroundVery little is known about the phenotypic expression of schizotypal traits in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). The main purpose was to analyse the factorial structure, internal consistency and temporal stability of schizotypal traits, as well as their associations with prodromal states and clinical psychotic symptoms in adolescents with 22q11DS.MethodThe sample comprised 61 adolescents with 22q11DS (mean = 14.95 years, s.d. = 2.13; n = 24 at follow-up). An age-matched comparison group (n = 61, mean = 15.44 years, s.d. = 1.76) was also included. The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were used.ResultsAdolescents with 22q11DS scored higher than the control group on the interpersonal dimension and suspiciousness subscale of the SPQ. The analysis of the internal structure of the SPQ in the sample of 22q11DS participants yielded a three-component solution (cognitive–perceptual, interpersonal, and disorganized). In addition, internal consistency coefficients ranged between 0.63 and 0.91. The schizotypal traits were highly stable across a 3.6-year interval, and ranged from 0.50 to 0.63. Self-reported schizotypal traits correlated with interview-based ratings of prodromal states and psychotic symptoms.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the SPQ may be a valid tool to assess schizotypal traits in adolescents with 22q11DS. The identification of a reliable self-report instrument for use in individuals with learning disabilities and at genetic high risk for psychosis could be useful in clinical and research settings. Assessment of schizotypal traits may be used as a distal risk marker and in a close-in strategy in high-risk genetic samples to enhance the possibility of early detection of psychosis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ania M. Fiksinski ◽  
Maude Schneider ◽  
Janneke Zinkstok ◽  
Danielle Baribeau ◽  
Samuel J. R. A. Chawner ◽  
...  

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes and is the strongest known single genetic risk factor for schizophrenia. Compared to other rare structural pathogenic genetic variants, 22q11DS is relatively common and one of the most extensively studied. This review provides a state-of-the-art overview of current insights regarding associated neurodevelopmental phenotypes and potential implications for 22q11DS and beyond.Recent FindingsWe will first discuss recent findings with respect to neurodevelopmental phenotypic expression associated with 22q11DS, including psychotic disorders, intellectual functioning, autism spectrum disorders, as well as their interactions. Second, we will address considerations that are important in interpreting these data and propose potential implications for both the clinical care for and the empirical study of individuals with 22q11DS. Third, we will highlight variable penetrance and pleiotropy with respect to neurodevelopmental phenotypes in 22q11DS. We will discuss how these phenomena are consistently observed in the context of virtually all rare pathogenic variants and that they pose substantial challenges from both a clinical and a research perspective.SummaryWe outline how 22q11DS could be viewed as a genetic model for studying neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In addition, we propose that 22q11DS research can help elucidate mechanisms underlying variable expression and pleiotropy of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, insights that are likely relevant for 22q11DS and beyond, including for individuals with other rare pathogenic genetic variants and for individuals with idiopathic neurodevelopmental conditions.


2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Debbané ◽  
Bronwyn Glaser ◽  
Melissa K. David ◽  
Carl Feinstein ◽  
Stephan Eliez

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Weinberger ◽  
O. Weisman ◽  
Y. Guri ◽  
T. Harel ◽  
A. Weizman ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThe 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common genetic syndrome associated with schizophrenia. The goal of this study was to evaluate longitudinally the interaction between neurocognitive functioning, the presence of subthreshold psychotic symptoms (SPS) and conversion to psychosis in individuals with 22q11DS. In addition, we attempted to identify the specific neurocognitive domains that predict the longitudinal evolution of positive and negative SPS, as well as the effect of psychiatric medications on 22q11DS psychiatric and cognitive developmental trajectories.MethodsForty-four participants with 22q11DS, 19 with Williams syndrome (WS) and 30 typically developing (TD) controls, age range 12–35 years, were assessed at two time points (15.2 ± 2.1 months apart). Evaluation included the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS), structured psychiatric evaluation and the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (CNB).Results22q11DS individuals with SPS had a yearly conversion rate to psychotic disorders of 8.8%, compared to none in both WS and TD controls. Baseline levels of negative SPS were associated with global neurocognitive performance (GNP), executive function and social cognition deficits, in individuals with 22q11DS, but not in WS. Deficits in GNP predicted negative SPS in 22q11DS and the emergence or persistence of negative SPS. 22q11DS individuals treated with psychiatric medications showed significant improvement in GNP score between baseline and follow-up assessments, an improvement that was not seen in untreated 22q11DS.ConclusionsOur results highlight the time-dependent interplay among positive and negative SPS symptoms, neurocognition and pharmacotherapy in the prediction of the evolution of psychosis in 22q11DS.


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1139-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Kollara ◽  
Adriane L. Baylis ◽  
Richard E. Kirschner ◽  
D. Gregory Bates ◽  
Mark Smith ◽  
...  

Objective: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common genetic cause of velopharyngeal dysfunction; however, limited information exists regarding variations in velopharyngeal anatomy in this clinically challenging population. The purpose of this study was to examine velopharyngeal characteristics among young children with 22q11.2DS in comparison to a normative cohort using an innovative, nonsedated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning protocol. Methods: Fifteen children with 22q11.2DS and 15 age- and gender-matched controls with normal velopharyngeal anatomy (ages 4-12) successfully completed the MRI protocol. Eighteen velopharyngeal and 2 related craniofacial measures were examined. Analysis of covariance was used to compare differences between the experimental and the control groups. Results: The 22q11.2DS group demonstrated a significantly thinner velum ( P < .0005) and a larger pharyngeal depth ( P = .007) compared to the matched control group. Findings in the current study also demonstrated that the levator veli palatini muscle is significantly shorter ( P = .037) and thinner ( P = .025) in the 22q11.2DS cohort, with a significantly shorter origin-to-origin distance ( P < .0005) and a greater angle of origin ( P = .001) compared to healthy peers. Conclusion: Children with 22q11.2DS demonstrated multiple variations that may contribute to velopharyngeal dysfunction by altering the anatomic characteristics of the velopharyngeal port, the levator muscle, and associated structures. This investigation represents the first and largest attempt to characterize velopharyngeal anatomy in children with 22q11.2DS using a nonsedated MRI protocol.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 392-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Montojo ◽  
A. Ibrahim ◽  
K.H. Karlsgodt ◽  
C. Chow ◽  
A.E. Hilton ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 65-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Vingerhoets ◽  
Oswald J.N. Bloemen ◽  
Erik Boot ◽  
Geor Bakker ◽  
Mariken B. de Koning ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 1442-1453 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Dubourg ◽  
M. Schneider ◽  
M. C. Padula ◽  
L. Chambaz ◽  
M. Schaer ◽  
...  

BackgroundAlterations of the reward system have been proposed as one of the core mechanisms underlying the expression of negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Specifically, deficits in specific reward components and white matter (WM) integrity of the reward system have been highlighted. The putative link between negative symptoms and the hedonic experience, or structural connectivity of the reward system has never been examined in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a condition with increased risk for psychosis.MethodAnticipatory and consummatory dimensions of pleasure were assessed in participants with 22q11DS (N = 54) and healthy controls (N = 55). In patients with 22q11DS, the association between pleasure scores and positive or negative symptoms was investigated. Furthermore, WM integrity of the accumbofrontal tract was quantified using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Associations between DTI measures, pleasure dimensions and negative symptoms were examined.ResultsPatients with 22q11DS showed reduced anticipatory and consummatory pleasure compared to controls. Furthermore, anticipatory pleasure scores were negatively correlated to negative and positive symptoms in 22q11DS. WM microstructural changes of the accumbofrontal tract in terms of increased fractional anisotropy and reduced radial anisotropy were also identified in patients. However, no significant correlation between the DTI measures and pleasure dimensions or psychotic symptoms was observed.ConclusionsThis study revealed that participants with 22q11DS differed in their experience of pleasure compared to controls. The anticipatory pleasure component appears to be related to negative and positive symptom severity in patients. Alterations of WM integrity of the accumbofrontal tract seem to be related to myelination abnormalities in 22q11DS patients.


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