Abstract

VERHOEVEN, W.M.A. et al. Chromosomal abnormalities in clinical psychiatry: a report of two older patients. Eur. J. Psychiat. [online]. 2007, vol.21, n.3, pp.207-211. ISSN 0213-6163.

Background and Objectives: In clinical psychiatry genetic anomalies are infrequently part of the differential diagnosis, especially in the elderly. Two case reports are used to illustrate the relevance of a genetic workup for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Methods: A female and a male patient, aged 81 and 68 year respectively, were admitted because of psychotic symptoms. Despite their relatively low level of intelligence together with autistic-like behaviour in the female patient and dysmorphias in the male patient, a genetic disorder was previously never considered. Results: In the female patient a balanced translocation between chromosomes X and 19 was found, while in the male patient a mosaic trisomy 8 was demonstrated. Conclusions: Genetic analysis is indicated in patients with autism, lower intelligence, unexplained somatic anomalies and dysmorphias.

Keywords : Clinical psychiatry; Chromosome aberrations; Cytogenetics; Elderly.

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