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Smerconish S, Schmitt JE. Neuroanatomical Correlates of Cognitive Dysfunction in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:440. [PMID: 38674375 PMCID: PMC11050060 DOI: 10.3390/genes15040440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), the most common chromosomal microdeletion, presents as a heterogeneous phenotype characterized by an array of anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities. Individuals with 22q11.2DS exhibit extensive cognitive deficits, both in overall intellectual capacity and focal challenges in executive functioning, attentional control, perceptual abilities, motor skills, verbal processing, as well as socioemotional operations. Heterogeneity is an intrinsic factor of the deletion's clinical manifestation in these cognitive domains. Structural imaging has identified significant changes in volume, thickness, and surface area. These alterations are closely linked and display region-specific variations with an overall increase in abnormalities following a rostral-caudal gradient. Despite the extensive literature developing around the neurocognitive and neuroanatomical profiles associated with 22q11.2DS, comparatively little research has addressed specific structure-function relationships between aberrant morphological features and deficient cognitive processes. The current review attempts to categorize these limited findings alongside comparisons to populations with phenotypic and structural similarities in order to answer to what degree structural findings can explain the characteristic neurocognitive deficits seen in individuals with 22q11.2DS. In integrating findings from structural neuroimaging and cognitive assessments, this review seeks to characterize structural changes associated with the broad neurocognitive challenges faced by individuals with 22q11.2DS.
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Buzzanca A, Accinni T, Frascarelli M, Troisi E, Kotzalidis GD, Di Bonaventura C, Fanella M, Putotto C, Marino B, Pasquini M, Biondi M, Di Fabio F. Recognition of facial emotion expressions and perceptual processes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Early Interv Psychiatry 2023; 17:76-84. [PMID: 35347860 PMCID: PMC10078714 DOI: 10.1111/eip.13295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social cognition (SC) deficits and of its facial emotion expression (FEE) component have been described in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS), a high-risk for schizophrenia (SCZ) systemic genetic syndrome. Correlations between deficits in FEE skills and visual-spatial abilities in people with 22q11.2DS warrant investigation. METHODS The sample consisted of 37 patients with 22q11.2DS (DEL), 19 with 22q11.2DS and psychosis (DEL-SCZ), 23 with idiopathic SCZ, and 48 healthy controls. We assessed FEE through The Ekman 60 Faces test (EK-F60), visual-spatial skills with Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, and symptom severity with the positive And negative syndrome scale. Statistics were conducted through multivariate analysis of variance and correlation analysis. RESULTS Patients with 22q11.2DS performed worse that the other groups in recognizing Surprise, Disgust, Rage, Fear, and Neutral expressions on the EK-F60. Recognition of Surprise and Disgust correlated positively with visual-spatial abilities in patients with 22q11.2DS; negative and cognitive symptoms correlated negatively with recognition of Sadness, Surprise, and Disgust. CONCLUSIONS Patients with 22q11.2DS show impairments of both peripheral and central steps of the emotional recognition process, leading to SC deficits. The latter are present regardless of the presence of a full-blown psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Buzzanca
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Accinni
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Frascarelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eloisa Troisi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Georgios D Kotzalidis
- Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Fanella
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Putotto
- Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Marino
- Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Pasquini
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Biondi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Fabio
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Benedetti A, Molent C, Barcik W, Papaleo F. Social behavior in 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 copy number variations: Insights from mice and humans. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12787. [PMID: 34889032 PMCID: PMC9744525 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions and duplications in humans may alter behavioral developmental trajectories increasing the risk of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In this review, we will concentrate on 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletions' effects on social functioning, beyond diagnostic categorization. We highlight diagnostic and social sub-constructs discrepancies. Notably, we contrast evidence from human studies with social profiling performed in several mouse models mimicking 16p11.2 and 22q11.2 deletion syndromes. Given the complexity of social behavior, there is a need to assess distinct social processes. This will be important to better understand the biology underlying such genetic-dependent dysfunctions, as well as to give perspective on how therapeutic strategies can be improved. Bridges and divergent points between human and mouse studies are highlighted. Overall, we give challenges and future perspectives to sort the genetics of social heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Benedetti
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,CNRS, GREDEGUniversité Côte d'AzurNiceFrance
| | - Cinzia Molent
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale(Di. Mes) Università degli Studi di GenovaGenoaItaly
| | - Weronika Barcik
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly
| | - Francesco Papaleo
- Genetics of Cognition laboratory, Neuroscience areaIstituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenoaItaly,Department of Neurosciences and Mental HealthFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
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