Brain anatomy differs in people with 22q genetic risk for schizophrenia, autism
The research, published May 23 in the Journal of Neuroscience , sheds light on how an excess, or absence, of genetic material on a particular chromosome affects neural development. "Notably, the opposing anatomical patterns we observed were most prominent in brain regions important for social functioning," said Carrie Bearden, lead author of the study and a professor of clinical psychology at UCLA. "These findings provide clues into differences in brain development that may predispose to schizophrenia or autism." Bearden's earlier research had focused on children with abnormalities caused by missing sections of genetic material on chromosome 22, in a location known as 22q11.2. The disorder, called 22q11.2-deletion syndrome, can cause developmental delays, heart defects and distinct facial features. It also confers the highest-known genetic risk for schizophrenia. Then she learned that people with 22q duplication -- abnormal repetition, or duplication, ...