Chromosome studies on men in a Maximum Security Hospital

Abstract

SUMMARY Chromosome studies were done on 315 out of 342 men at the State Hospital, Carstairs, Scotland, a hospital for the treatment of patients with dangerous, violent, or criminal propensities in contitions of special securtiy. All but ten of the men in the hospital had a criminal record and 253 of them were classified as having a severe personality disorder of indetermiante cause. The remainder either had one of the recognized psychoses, or were epileptics, or had brain damage as the result of previous or trauma. Sixteen of the 315 men examined (5.1%) had an abnormal chromosomes complement detectable in mitotic cells. Of these 9 were 47, XYY, one 48,XXY, one 46,XX/‐47, XXY/48, XXXY, while 4 had a structural autosoma abnormality. Two of the latter were 46,XY, D‐, D‐, t(DqDq)+, 1 was 46,XY, t(1?‐;169?+) and 1 was 46, XYGq‐. The possible significance of these findings is discussed in regard to behavioural disorders and details are given in the appendix of the family histories, criminal records and clinical and cytological findings for sixteen men.

Clinical Manifestations of Chromosome Disorders

“…Although the presence of an extra Y chromosome had been described as early as 1961 (Sandberg et al, 1961), interest was markedly aroused by a finding of a disproportionately high percent (usually 2-4%) of such individuals in prisons and mental hospitals (Casey et al, 1968;Jacobs et al, 1968;Marinello et al, 1969;Hook, 1973). It was soon noted that most XYY patients are excessively tall and not uncommonly mildly mentally retarded (mean intelligence quotient -90) (Valentine et al, 1971).…”

Effects of the Y chromosome on quantitative growth: An anthropometric study of 47,XYY males

“…The numerous reports on 47,XYY males clearly show that they are taller than normal males even if possible ascertainment bias is taken into account (Price et al, 1966;Court Brown et al, 1968;Cowie and Kahn, 1968;Jacobs et al, 1968;Noel et al, 1969; Nielsen et al, 1971; Forsius et al, 1972;Casey et al, 1973;Milne et al, 1974;Ratcliffe, 1976;Daly and Harley, 1980;Ratcliffe, 1981;Ratcliffe et al, 1982;Stewart et al, 1982). However, the results obtained on the changes in the body proportions of 47,XYY males are contradictory (Milne et al, 1974;Miller et al, 1980;Ratcliffe, 1981).…”

Hormonal and neuropsychological evaluation of two 47,XYY patients with pituitary abnormalities

“…Patients are usually tall and thin and may have delayed speech, lower cognitive function (IQ), hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and other central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities (such as intentional tremor and hypotonia) [Buyse, 1990;Linden et al, 1996;Jones, 1997;Abramsky et al, 2001]. However, several patients with an XYY constitution and a normal phenotype have also been described [Hauschka et al, 1962;Hunter et al, 1968;Jacobs et al, 1968;Linden et al, 1996].…”