Association of a balanced chromosomal translocation (4;12)(q21.3; q15), affective disorder and autism

This case report describes a set of monozygotic twins with severe intellect ual disability, autism and affective disorder with a balanced translocation between chromosomes 4 and 12. Their mother, who carries the same balanced translocation, had severe postnatal depression. The association between aut ism affective disorder and these chromosome break points has not been repor ted previously. The implications are discussed.