Schizofrenie en het 22q11-deletiesyndroom

- In 10-30 of the patients with the 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), a psychosis develops in adulthood, often schizophrenia.

- 22q11DS is a common genetic syndrome which is associated with an interstitial deletion at chromosome 22q11.

- The syndrome is characterised by a variable phenotype which includes cognitive and behavioural problems, in addition to congenital heart and facial anomalies.

- The presence of 22q11DS represents one of the highest risk factors for the development of schizophrenia.

- The study of 22q11DS offers a unique opportunity to increase the understanding of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.