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Pharmacopsychiatry 2015; 48(06): 219-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1554645
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pharmacological Treatment of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome-related Psychoses

E. Boot
1   The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada
2   Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
3   Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
,
N. J. Butcher
4   Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
5   Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Canada
,
J. A. S. Vorstman
6   Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
,
T. A. M. J. van Amelsvoort
7   Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
,
W. L. A. Fung
1   The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada
3   Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
4   Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
5   Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Canada
8   Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
,
A. S. Bassett
1   The Dalglish Family Hearts and Minds Clinic for Adults with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, Toronto, Canada
2   Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
3   Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
4   Clinical Genetics Research Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto
5   Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Canada
8   Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
9   Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
19 June 2015 (online)

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Abstract

In their recent article in Pharmacopsychiatry Verhoeven and Egger report a case series of 28 patients and state that “treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) with quetiapine or clozapine in combination with valproic acid appears likely to be more effective than with other psychotropic compounds”. In this letter, we discuss the limitations of their case series and the lack of evidence for such a sweeping conclusion. In lieu of strong evidence to the contrary, standard pharmacological treatments of psychotic illness in 22q11.2DS remains recommended, with attention to 22q11.2DS-related issues. The latter would include management strategies to help ameliorate the elevated risk of seizures (e. g. when using clozapine), and vigilance for Parkinson’s disease or other potential movement disorders.

Key words

22q11 deletion syndrome - antipsychotic agents - psychotic disorders
 

  • References

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