title: Williams syndrome and deficiency in visuospatial recognition.
abstract: This study aimed to assess the visuospatial abilities of five children with Williams syndrome (four males aged 9 years 3 months, 7 years 11 months, 8 years 1 month, and 10 years 8 months respectively, and one female aged 6 years 3 months). First, the children's visuospatial abilities were examined by asking them to copy a figure. Second, their cognitive processing abilities were assessed using the Japanese Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. This test was used because it is an objective one, standardized in Japan, and is a measure of fluid ability including spatial localization. Participants scored significantly low on the spatial memory subtest indicating that there was a deficit in spatial localization. Children's performance in line copying tasks improved when the dots were in colour. Results suggest a deficit in the dorsal stream of visual cognition, with a relatively preserved ventral stream.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Centre, Kasugai, Japan. mihon@inst-hsc.pref.aichi.jp
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsushima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mita
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D005556:Form Perception; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D013028:Space Perception; D018980:Williams Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*