Abstract
BackgroundThe 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic syndrome that results in a highly variable profile of affected individuals of which impairments in the social domain and increased psychopathology are the most prominent. Notably, 25–30% of affected individuals eventually develop schizophrenia/psychosis, predisposing persons with the syndrome to increased risk for this disorder. Because social cognition is considered to underlie social behavior and to be related to psychopathology, this systematic review investigated social cognition in individuals with 22q11DS and examined reported links across its domains with psychopathology and social outcomes. This can provide the basis for a closer understanding of the path from risk to disorder and will inform on the specific domains that can be targeted with preventive intervention strategies.MethodSystematic literature review of studies that reported the links between social cognitive domains and psychopathology and/or social outcomes in individuals with 22q11DS. Electronic databases searched were PubMed and PsycINFO.ResultsDefined eligibility criteria identified a total of ten studies to be included in the present review. Selected studies investigated links between two domains of social cognition (emotion processing and theory of mind (ToM)) and psychopathology and/or social outcomes. With respect to the links to psychopathology, two aspects of social cognition were related primarily to negative symptoms. Results regarding the associations to positive and emotional symptoms (anxiety/depression) are limited and require further investigation. Even though both aspects of social cognition were associated with social outcomes, several studies also found no links between these two domains. Both reports invite for an additional examination of reported results and specific considerations regarding chosen constructs.ConclusionAlthough equivocal, results of the present review provide sufficient evidence that social cognition is a useful domain for the closer elucidation of clinical outcomes and social difficulties in this population. At the same time, longitudinal studies and consideration of other variables are also necessary for a timely understanding of affected persons in this respect.
Highlights
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic syndrome that results in a highly variable profile of affected individuals of which impairments in the social domain and increased psychopathology are the most prominent
Certain diagnostic categories are most frequently encountered in children and adolescents (ADHD, autism spectrum disorders (ASD)), anxiety can be found in all age groups, and the prevalence of major depression and schizophrenia/psychosis significantly increases with the age of affected individuals [8]
Research on the links between social cognitive domains and psychopathology as well as social outcomes in persons with 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is in its developing stage since only ten studies fitted the eligibility criteria for the present review
Summary
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic syndrome that results in a highly variable profile of affected individuals of which impairments in the social domain and increased psychopathology are the most prominent. Because social cognition is considered to underlie social behavior and to be related to psychopathology, this systematic review investigated social cognition in individuals with 22q11DS and examined reported links across its domains with psychopathology and social outcomes This can provide the basis for a closer understanding of the path from risk to disorder and will inform on the specific domains that can be targeted with preventive intervention strategies. Since the phenotypic expression of schizophrenia in 22q11DS is indistinguishable from idiopathic schizophrenia, a closer understanding of affected individuals provides an opportunity for elucidating the trajectory path from risk to disorder [6] This can serve as a basis for preventive and intervention strategies designed to ameliorate behavioral and functional challenges encountered by affected persons and their environment. Certain diagnostic categories are most frequently encountered in children and adolescents (ADHD, ASD), anxiety can be found in all age groups, and the prevalence of major depression and schizophrenia/psychosis significantly increases with the age of affected individuals [8]
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