Dermatoglyphic profile in 22q deletion syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurogenetics
• Dermatoglyphics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Schizophrenia exhibits dermatoglyphic anomalies, including altered ridge counts and asymmetry.
• 22q11 Deletion syndrome (22qDS) is associated with a genetic subtype of schizophrenia.
• The dermatoglyphic profile of 22qDS individuals with psychosis remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the palmar dermatoglyphic profile of 22qDS subjects with psychotic symptoms.
• To compare these dermatoglyphic features with those found in healthy controls.
• To explore similarities between the dermatoglyphic profile of 22qDS psychosis and schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of palmar dermatoglyphics in 22 subjects with 22qDS (15 with psychosis) and 84 healthy controls.
• Measurement of total ATD angle, a-b ridge counts (ABRCs), ridge dissociations, and fluctuating asymmetry.
• Comparison of dermatoglyphic parameters between cases and controls.

Main Results:

• Higher total ATD angle values observed in 22qDS cases compared to controls (P = 0.04).
• Increased frequency of radial figures in the hypothenar area noted in cases, particularly on the left hand.
• Greater fluctuating asymmetry in ABRCs found in 22qDS subjects versus controls (P = 0.05).
• No significant differences in ABRCs or ridge dissociation frequency were detected.

Conclusions:

• Palmprint analysis suggests an altered dermatoglyphic profile in 22qDS, characterized by modified ATD angle, radial loops in the hypothenar area, and increased fluctuating asymmetry.
• The observed ATD angle and radial loop patterns resemble those in genetic syndromes linked to low IQ.
• Elevated fluctuating asymmetry in 22qDS aligns with findings in schizophrenia, suggesting a potential neurodevelopmental link.