Chromosomal abnormalities in clinical psychiatry : a report of two older patients

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.