Williams syndrome and memory: a neuroanatomic and cognitive approach.
Williams Syndrome (WS) is described as displaying a dissociation within memory systems. As the integrity of hippocampal formation (HF) is determinant for memory performance, we examined HF volumes and its association with memory measures in a group of WS and in a typically development group. A significantly reduced intracranial content was found in WS, despite no differences were observed for HF absolute volumes between groups. When volumes were normalized, left HF was increased in WS. Moreover, a lack of the normal right > left HF asymmetry was observed in WS. No positive correlations were found between volumetric and neurocognitive data in WS. In sum, a relative enlargement of HF and atypical patterns of asymmetry suggest abnormal brain development in WS.
Sampaio
Adriana
A
School of Psychology, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. adriana.sampaio@iep.uminho.pt
Sousa
Nuno
N
Férnandez
Montse
M
Vasconcelos
Cristiana
C
Shenton
Martha E
ME
Gonçalves
Oscar F
OF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D018579:Patient Selection; D018980:Williams Syndrome / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*