Communication Sciences and Disorders Commons^™

Neuroanatomic Predictors To Prodromal Psychosis In Velocardiofacial Syndrome (22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome): A Longitudinal Study, Wendy Kates, Kevin Antshel, Stephen Faraone, Wanda Fremont, Anne Higgins, Robert Shprintzen, Jo-Anna Botti, Lauren Kelchner, Christopher Mccarthy

Robert J. Shprintzen

Background: Up to 30% of young adults with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS; 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) develop schizophrenia or psychosis. Identifying the neuroanatomic trajectories that increase risk for psychosis in youth with this genetic disorder is of great interest. Methods: We acquired high-resolution anatomic MR images and measures of psychiatric function on 72 youth with VCFS, 26 unaffected siblings and 24 age-matched community controls at two timepoints, between late childhood (mean age, 11.9 years) and mid-adolescence (mean age, 15.1 years). Results: With the exception of cranial gray matter and orbitofrontal prefrontal cortex, neuroanatomic trajectories in youth with VCFS were comparable to unaffected …