Genetic Mapping of Brain Plasticity Across Development in Williams Syndrome: ERP Markers of Face and Language Processing

Abstract

In Williams Syndrome (WS), a known genetic deletion results in atypical brain function with strengths in face and language processing. We examined how genetic influences on brain activity change with development. In three studies, event-related potentials (ERPs) from large samples of children, adolescents, and adults with the full genetic deletion for WS were compared to typically developing controls, and two adults with partial deletions for WS. Studies 1 and 2 identified ERP markers of brain plasticity in WS across development. Study 3 suggested that, in adults with partial deletions for WS, specific genes may be differentially implicated in face and language processing.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank all the participants and their families who so generously gave their time to take part in this study. We thank Terra Llamas and Chantel Prat for help in collection and processing of the data. The cosmids were generous gifts from Dr. L. C. Tsui at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

This research was supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) grant (P01 HD033113) awarded to U.B., D.M., J.K., A. G., and A.R.

Notes

¹We are aware of potential methodological issues related to measurement of peak versus mean amplitude measures. The previous study analyzed both peak amplitudes and mean amplitudes over the same time window and reported the same patterns of statistical significance.

²We are aware that regression analysis assumes equal variance across groups. Unequal variance could underestimate the age effect and group difference in the regression. Group differences were also tested with t-tests equal variance not assumed. Neither group showed an effect of age when regression analyses were conducted for each group separately. Therefore the unequal variance is unlikely to affect interpretation of the results.