Serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic markers are related to cognitive function in adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome

Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2014 Aug;17(8):1159-65. doi: 10.1017/S1461145714000376. Epub 2014 Apr 8.

Abstract

Patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) have a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability. At present the neurobiology underlying psychopathology in 22q11DS is still not understood. In the present study, we analyzed urinary serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic markers in 67 adults with 22q11DS. Levels of serotonin and the catecholamine metabolite homovanillic acid were significantly lower in the 22q11DS subjects compared to healthy controls. Within the 22q11DS group, levels of dopamine, homovanillic acid, norepinephrine, vanillyl mandelic acid and serotonin positively correlated with Full Scale Intelligence Quotient scores. Our results suggest that cognitive deficits in 22q11DS are associated with abnormal function of several neurotransmitters.

MeSH terms

  • 22q11 Deletion Syndrome / complications*
  • 22q11 Deletion Syndrome / urine*
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / urine
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cognition Disorders / complications*
  • Cognition Disorders / urine*
  • Dopamine / urine*
  • Female
  • Homovanillic Acid / urine
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / urine*
  • Serotonin / urine*
  • Vanilmandelic Acid / urine
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Serotonin
  • Vanilmandelic Acid
  • Dopamine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Homovanillic Acid