Opposing brain differences in 16p11.2 deletion and duplication carriers

Original research article by A.Y. Qerishi et al. (2014).

Read the abstract here.

How is brain size different between 16p11.2 duplication and deletion carriers? 

Researchers analyzed brain structures of 16p11.2 deletion and duplication individuals from Simons Searchlight and compared them with those of unrelated. age-matched controls who do not carry either a 16p11.2 deletion or a duplication. Individuals with the deletion had a larger brain volume (size), while individuals with the duplication had a smaller brain volume. The differences in size were seen across the different structures and areas of the brain. That is, the brain was uniformly larger or smaller. This finding appeared to be stable across the lifetime, from childhood to adulthood, and it suggests that 16p11.2 plays a role in differences in brain volume early in development.