Attenuated positive symptoms of psychosis in adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

Abstract

Thirty percent of individuals with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) develop a psychotic disorder, particularly schizophrenia. We assessed attenuated positive, negative and disorganized symptoms of psychosis and clinical-high-risk syndromes in 20 adolescents with 22q11.2DS (median age 15.1 years) using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS). Two participants met criteria for the Attenuated Positive Symptom Syndrome, while nine participants (45%) experienced positive symptoms rated in the "moderate" to "severe and psychotic" range on the SIPS. Almost all presented with moderate to severe symptoms in the negative, disorganized, and general symptom domains.