Williams syndrome and deficiency in visuospatial recognition.
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.
Nakamura
M
M
Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Centre, Kasugai, Japan. mihon@inst-hsc.pref.aichi.jp
Watanabe
K
K
Matsumoto
A
A
Yamanaka
T
T
Kumagai
T
T
Miyazaki
S
S
Matsushima
M
M
Mita
K
K
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*