Neuropsychological profile and neuroimaging in patients with 22Q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: a review.

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is associated with cognitive, behavioural, and psychiatric problems and is known to affect brain structure. Recently, 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome has been proposed as a disease model for a genetic subtype of schizophrenia. In this paper we discuss the currently available literature on neurocognitive functioning and brain anatomy in patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, and how this contributes to our understanding of the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Research on cognitive functioning in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome patients suggests a specific cognitive profile with impairments on arithmetical, visuo-spatial, and executive tasks and relatively preserved language skills. Prominent findings of neuroimaging studies in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome patients are: reduction of overall brain volume, midline defects, structural alterations of cerebellum and frontal lobe, white matter abnormalities, and decreased grey matter volumes in parietal and temporal areas. We describe how brain abnormalities in patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome may contribute to the understanding of the clinical syndrome including cognitive impairments, psychotic symptoms, and social and communication problems.