Neuropsychological phenotype of a patient with a de novo 970 kb interstitial deletion in the distal 16p11.2 region.
The 16p11.2 microdeletion syndrome is characterized by a wide range of phenotypic expressions and is frequently associated with developmental delay, symptoms from the autism spectrum, epilepsy, congenital anomalies, and obesity. These phenotypes are often related to a proximal 16p11.2 deletion of approximately 600 kb (BP4-BP5) that includes the SH2B1 gene that is reported to be causative for morbid obesity. This more centromeric deletion is most strongly related to autism spectrum susceptibility and is functionally different from the more distal 16p12.2p11.2 region, which includes the so-called atypical 16p11.2 BP2-BP3 deletion (approximately 220 kb) presenting with developmental delay, behavioral problems and mild facial dysmorphisms. Here, an adult male with a long history of maladaptive behaviors is described who was referred for diagnostic assessment of his amotivational features. Extensive neuropsychological examination demonstrated rigid thinking, anxious beliefs, and ideas of reference in the presence of normal intelligence. Microarray analysis demonstrated a de novo 970 kb 16p11.2 BP1-BP4 microdeletion that can be regarded as explanatory for his behavioral profile. It is concluded that microdeletion syndromes are not exclusively related to intellectual disabilities and genetic testing is of putative relevance for the understanding of neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological phenomena.
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands ; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands ; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Jos I M
JI
Egger
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Centre of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands ; Erasmus University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Willem M A
WM
Verhoeven
Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Centre for Autism and ADHD, Venray, the Netherlands.
Wim
W
Verbeeck
Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Nicole
N
de Leeuw
SNP array; distal 16p11.2; microdeletion; neuropsychological phenotype; social cognition