Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
3-2011
Abstract
Objective: Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS; 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) represents one of the highest known risk factors for schizophrenia. Insofar as up to thirty percent of individuals with this genetic disorder develop schizophrenia, VCFS constitutes a unique, etiologically homogeneous model for understanding the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Method: Using a longitudinal, case-control design, we acquired anatomic magnetic resonance images to investigate both cross-sectional and longitudinal alterations in surface cortical morphology in a cohort of adolescents with VCFS and age-matched typical controls. All participants were scanned at two time points.
Results: Relative to controls, youth with VCFS exhibited alterations in inferior frontal, dorsal frontal, occipital, and cerebellar brain regions at both time points. We observed little change over time in surface morphology of either study group. However, within the VCFS group only, worsening psychosocial functioning over time was associated with Time 2 surface contractions in left middle and inferior temporal gyri. Further, prodromal symptoms at Time 2 were associated with surface contractions in left and right orbitofrontal, temporal and cerebellar regions, as well as surface protrusions of supramarginal gyrus.
Conclusions: These findings advance our understanding of cortical disturbances in VCFS that produce vulnerability for psychosis in this high risk population.
DOI
10.1016/j.jaac.2010.12.002
Recommended Citation
Published in final edited version as: Kates, Wendy R. et al. "Mapping Cortical Morphology in Youth With Velocardiofacial (22q11.2 Deletion) Syndrome." Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 50.3 (2011): 272-282.
Publication
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume
50
Issue
3
Pages
272-282
Comments
Version posted is the NIH Public Access Author Manuscript.