title: Verbal short-term memory in individuals with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion: specific deficit in serial order retention capacities?
abstract: Many researchers have recently explored the cognitive profile of velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), a neurodevelopmental disorder linked to a 22q11.2 deletion. However, verbal short-term memory has not yet been systematically investigated. We explored verbal short-term memory abilities in a group of 11 children and adults presenting with VCFS and two control groups, matched on either CA or vocabulary knowledge, by distinguishing short-term memory for serial order and item information. The VCFS group showed impaired performance on the serial order short-term memory tasks compared to both control groups. Relative to the vocabulary-matched control group, item short-term memory was preserved. The implication of serial order short-term memory deficits on other aspects of cognitive development in VCFS (e.g., language development, numerical cognition) is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Unit, Department of Cognitive Sciences/Cognitive Psychopathology Sector, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. smajerus@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majerus
authors.forename: Martial
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van der Linden
authors.forename: Vérane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Braissand
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eliez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002872:Chromosome Deletion; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000235:genetics*; D004062:DiGeorge Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D010700:Phonetics; D012016:Reference Values; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012660:Semantics; D012691:Serial Learning; D013067:Speech Perception; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014825:Vocabulary