Brain Asymmetry Mapped in Velo-vardio-facial Syndrome and in Normally Developing Children

Introduction: Differences in structure and function between the two brain hemispheres have generated great interest in neuroscience, revealing the developmental origins of lateralized cognitive functions and hemispheric specialization of neuronal circuitry [4]. Anatomical asymmetries develop in utero and increase during childhood, so any derailment in the course of neurodevelopment may lead to an abnormal pattern of asymmetry. Here we performed the first tensor-based morphometry (TBM) study of brain asymmetry, to our knowledge. We examined patterns of structural brain asymmetries in a sample of children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS; also known as velo-cardio-facial syndrome: VCFS), and in a well-matched sample of normally developing children. Abnormal brain asymmetry is reported in at least some patients with 22q11.2DS, which is also thought to predispose individuals to the development of schizophrenia.