Neurodevelopmental Trajectories and Psychiatric Morbidity: Lessons Learned From the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes and is the strongest known single genetic risk factor for schizophrenia. Compared to other rare structural pathogenic genetic variants, 22q11DS is relatively common and one of the most extensively studied. This review provides a state-of-the-art overview of current insights regarding associated neurodevelopmental phenotypes and potential implications for 22q11DS and beyond.

We will first discuss recent findings with respect to neurodevelopmental phenotypic expression associated with 22q11DS, including psychotic disorders, intellectual functioning, autism spectrum disorders, as well as their interactions. Second, we will address considerations that are important in interpreting these data and propose potential implications for both the clinical care for and the empirical study of individuals with 22q11DS. Third, we will highlight variable penetrance and pleiotropy with respect to neurodevelopmental phenotypes in 22q11DS. We will discuss how these phenomena are consistently observed in the context of virtually all rare pathogenic variants and that they pose substantial challenges from both a clinical and a research perspective. We outline how 22q11DS could be viewed as a genetic model for studying neurodevelopmental phenotypes. In addition, we propose that 22q11DS research can help elucidate mechanisms underlying variable expression and pleiotropy of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, insights that are likely relevant for 22q11DS and beyond, including for individuals with other rare pathogenic genetic variants and for individuals with idiopathic neurodevelopmental conditions.