Midline brain anomalies and schizophrenia in people with CATCH 22 syndrome

BACKGROUND: Since people with chromosome 22q11 deletion (CATCH 22 syndrome) have unexpectedly high incidence of major psychosis it has been suggested that 22q area might be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. METHOD: A single case report. RESULTS: A 32-year-old male patient with CATCH 22 syndrome and schizophrenia had extensive midline anomalies of the brain in the regions relevant to psychotic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: 22q11-dependent abnormalities in the midline structures of the brain may cause dysfunction in the limbic system and interfere with the interhemispheric information exchange thus predisposing people with CATCH 22 syndrome to psychotic disorders.