Morphometry of the head of the caudate nucleus in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome (del 22q11.2)

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) is a chromosomal anomaly syndrome characte rized by multiple congenital malformations, including cleft palate and card iac anomalies. Many patients have attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorde rs (AD[H]D) in childhood and schizophrenia in adulthood. We reviewed crania l magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans with particular attention to the h ead of the caudate nucleus and found that in control subjects, the head of the caudate was larger on the left than on the right, whereas VCFS patients showed a reversed right > left pattern or no significant asymmetry. A simi lar right > left asymmetry or a lack of this asymmetry has been Conclusion: These results suggest a common pathophysiological mechanism of behavioural and cognitive problems in patients with AD(H)D and those with V CFS.