Two cases with XYY chromosome complement are presented and compared with 153 cases described in the literature.
Some patients with abnormalities of personality development and manifest psychopathology may have sex chromosome abnormalities and should be studied further for the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in personality development. In particular, tall, schizoid impulsive men with a history of criminality, arson or sexual offences should be screened for this particular genetic configuration. Because of the biased manner by which most of the cases are found, it is not yet known whether an XYY genotype results in a characteristic phenotype. What is needed is a genetic study of a normal population and a prospective study of newborns with various genotypes which would, unfortunately, create complex research and ethical problems.
References
1.
AbdullahS.: Extra Y chromosome and its psychiatric implications.Arch Gen Psychiatry,21: 497, 1969.
2.
AkessonH. O.: Gross chromosomal errors in tall men admitted to mental hospitals.Acta Psychiatr Scand,45: 37, 1969.
3.
BergJ. M., LowyF. H.: XYY syndrome: a comment.Mod Med Can,30: 692, 1975.
4.
BorgaonkarD. S., UngerW. M., MooreS. R., CroftonT. A.: 47, XYY syndrome, height and institutionalization of juvenile delinquents.Br J Psychiatry,120: 549, 1972.
5.
CaseyM. D.: YY chromosomes and antisocial behaviour.Lancet,2: 859, Oct. 1966.
6.
ClarkeD. F., JohnsonA. W.: XYY individuals in a special school.Br J Psychiatry,125: 390, 1974.
7.
Court BrownW. M., PriceW. H., JacobsP. A.: Further information on the identity of 47, XYY males.Br Med J,2: 325, 1968.
8.
CowieJ., KahnJ.: XYY constitution in a prepubertal child.Br Med J,1: 748, 1968.
9.
DalyR. F.: Mental illness and patterns of behaviour in 10 XYY males.J Nerv Ment Dis,149: 318, 1969.
10.
DalyR.F.: Neurological abnormalities in XYY males.Nature,221: 472, 1969.
11.
FalekA.: An attempt to identify prisoners with an XYY chromosome complement by psychiatric and psychological means.J Nerv Ment Dis,150: 165, 1970.
12.
ForssmanH.: The mental implications of sex chromosome aberration.Br J Psychiatry,117, 353, 1970.
13.
ForssmanH., HambertG.: Chromosomes and antisocial behaviour.Lancet,282, July 1966.
14.
ForssmanH.: Epilepsy in an XYY man.Lancet,1389, June 1967.
15.
HookE. B.: Behavioural implications of the human XYY genotype.Science,179: 139, 1973.
16.
HopeK.: Psychological characteristics associated with XYY sex-chromosome complement in a state mental hospital.Br J Psychiatry,113: 495–8, 1967.
17.
HunterH.: Chromatin-positive and XYY boys in approved schools.Lancet,816, April 1968.
18.
JacobsP. A., BrontonM., MelvilleM. M.: Aggressive behaviour, mental subnormality and the XYY male.Nature,208: 1351, 1965.
19.
KellyS., AlmyR.: Another XYY phenotype.Nature, 215:405, 1967.
20.
KosenowW., PfeifferR. A.: YY Syndrome with multiple malformations.Lancet,1375, June 1966.
21.
MarinelloM. J., BerksonR. P.: A study of the XYY syndrome in tall men and juvenile delinquents.JAMA,208, 321, 1969.
22.
MelnykJ.: Sex chromosome XYY phenomenon occurrence examined in mental patients.Nature,224: 369, 1969.
23.
NielsenJ.: Criminality among patients with Klinefelter's syndrome and the XYY syndrome.Br J Psychiatry,117: 365, 1970.
24.
NielsenJ.: Klinefelter's syndrome and the XYY syndrome.Acta Psychiatr Scand, Supplement,209, 1969.
25.
NielsenJ.: Prevalence and a 2 1/2 years incidence of chromosome abnormalities among all males in a forensic psychiatric clinic.Br J Psychiatry,119: 503–12, 1971.
WelchJ. P., BorgaonkarD. S., HerrH. M.: Psychopathy, mental deficiency, aggressiveness and the XYY syndrome.Nature,214: 500, 1967.
42.
WienerS., SutherlandG.: A normal XYY man.Lancet,1352, 1968.
43.
WienerS., SutherlandG.: XYY males in a Melbourne prison.Lancet,150, Jan. 1968.
44.
ZeuthenE., NielsenJ., HansenM., ChristensenA.: A psychiatric-psychological study of XYY males found in a general male population.Acta Psychiatr Scand,51: 3–18, 1975.
