title: Pharmacological treatment of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome-related psychoses.
abstract: In their recent article in Pharmacopsychiatry Verhoeven and Egger report a case series of 28 patients and state that "treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) with quetiapine or clozapine in combination with valproic acid appears likely to be more effective than with other psychotropic compounds". In this letter, we discuss the limitations of their case series and the lack of evidence for such a sweeping conclusion. In lieu of strong evidence to the contrary, standard pharmacological treatments of psychotic illness in 22q11.2DS remains recommended, with attention to 22q11.2DS-related issues. The latter would include management strategies to help ameliorate the elevated risk of seizures (e. g. when using clozapine), and vigilance for Parkinson's disease or other potential movement disorders.
authors.affiliation: The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Boot
authors.affiliation: Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A S
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vorstman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T A M J
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: van Amelsvoort
authors.affiliation: The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: W L A
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.affiliation: The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bassett
mesh_terms: D058165:22q11 Deletion Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents