Scientific Lectures //
A Model for Schizophrenia Development: A Multi-Method Approach to Characterizing Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome
David Stephenson Jr., M.A., Senior Research Assistant, SCAN Lab, University of New Orleans
Presented: December 1, 2017
ABSTRACT: Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 3000:4000 live births. Individuals with this deletion also confer a 25-30 fold increase in vulnerability for developing psychosis and schizophrenia in late adolescence/early adulthood. At the Stress, Cognition, and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN) lab at the University of New Orleans, we are using a multi-method approach to characterizing not only the latent profile of this deletion at childhood and adolescence, but also how stress can contribute to observed cognitive and behavioral deficits. Using cognitive-behavioral testing, clinical measures, hormone measures, and neuroimaging, we are hoping to identify those who are not only vulnerable in their current stage to the effects of stress, but also those who could go on to develop psychosis and schizophrenia in later life. Particularly, I will be discussing how utilization of neuroimaging and graph theory underpins certain clinical and cognitive issues reported in children and adolescence with 22q11.2DS, and how these could help identify potential biomarkers for vulnerability and resiliency.
To view this presentation please click here.