Structural brain abnormalities associated with deletion at chromosome 22q11: quantitative neuroimaging study of adults with velo-cardio-facial syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS) is associated with deletions in the qll band of chromosome 22, learning disability and psychosis, but the neurobiological basis is poorly understood.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate brain anatomy in adults with VCFS.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging was used to study 10 patients with VCFS and 13 matched controls. We carried out three analyses: qualitative; traced regional brain volume; and measurement of grey and white matter volume.


RESULTS
The subjects with VCFS had: a high prevalence of white matter hyperintensities and abnormalities of the septum pellucidum; a significantly smaller volume of cerebellum; and widespread differences in white matter bilaterally and regional specific differences in grey matter in the left cerebellum, insula, and frontal and right temporal lobes.


CONCLUSIONS
Deletion at chromosome 22q11 is associated with brain abnormalities that are most likely neurodevelopmental and may partially explain the high prevalence of learning disability and psychiatric disorder in VCFS.
van Amelsvoort
T
T
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. spjutva@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Daly
E
E
Robertson
D
D
Suckling
J
J
Ng
V
V
Critchley
H
H
Owen
M J
MJ
Henry
J
J
Murphy
K C
KC
Murphy
D G
DG
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000235:genetics*; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D013577:Syndrome