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Giannoccaro S, Ferraguto C, Petroni V, Marcelly C, Nogues X, Campuzano V, Pietropaolo S. Early Neurobehavioral Characterization of the CD Mouse Model of Williams-Beuren Syndrome. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030391. [PMID: 36766733 PMCID: PMC9913557 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a chromosomic microdeletion (7q11.23). WBS has been modeled by a mouse line having a complete deletion (CD) of the equivalent mouse locus. This model has been largely used to investigate the etiopathological mechanisms of WBS, although pharmacological therapies have not been identified yet. Surprisingly, CD mice were so far mainly tested in adulthood, despite the developmental nature of WBS and the critical relevance of early timing for potential treatments. Here we provide for the first time a phenotypic characterization of CD mice of both sexes during infancy and adolescence, i.e., between birth and 7 weeks of age. CD pups of both sexes showed reduced body growth, delayed sensory development, and altered patterns of ultrasonic vocalizations and exploratory behaviors. Adolescent CD mice showed reduced locomotion and acoustic startle response, and altered social interaction and communication, the latter being more pronounced in female mice. Juvenile CD mutants of both sexes also displayed reduced brain weight, cortical and hippocampal dendritic length, and spine density. Our findings highlight the critical relevance of early neurobehavioral alterations as biomarkers of WBS pathology, underlying the importance of adolescence for identifying novel therapeutic targets for this neurological disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Celeste Ferraguto
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Valeria Petroni
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Coline Marcelly
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna Pietropaolo
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, EPHE, INCIA, UMR 5287, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
- Correspondence:
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Grad M, Nir A, Levy G, Trangle SS, Shapira G, Shomron N, Assaf Y, Barak B. Altered White Matter and microRNA Expression in a Murine Model Related to Williams Syndrome Suggests That miR-34b/c Affects Brain Development via Ptpru and Dcx Modulation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010158. [PMID: 35011720 PMCID: PMC8750756 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a de novo hemizygous deletion of ~26 genes from chromosome 7q11.23, among them the general transcription factor II-I (GTF2I). By studying a novel murine model for the hypersociability phenotype associated with WS, we previously revealed surprising aberrations in myelination and cell differentiation properties in the cortices of mutant mice compared to controls. These mutant mice had selective deletion of Gtf2i in the excitatory neurons of the forebrain. Here, we applied diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and fiber tracking, which showed a reduction in the number of streamlines in limbic outputs such as the fimbria/fornix fibers and the stria terminalis, as well as the corpus callosum of these mutant mice compared to controls. Furthermore, we utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of cortical small RNAs' expression (RNA-Seq) levels to identify altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), including two from the miR-34 cluster, known to be involved in prominent processes in the developing nervous system. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the direct binding of miR-34c-5p to the 3'UTR of PTPRU-a gene involved in neural development that was elevated in the cortices of mutant mice relative to controls. Moreover, we found an age-dependent variation in the expression levels of doublecortin (Dcx)-a verified miR-34 target. Thus, we demonstrate the substantial effect a single gene deletion can exert on miRNA regulation and brain structure, and advance our understanding and, hopefully, treatment of WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meitar Grad
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Ariel Nir
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Gilad Levy
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Guy Shapira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yaniv Assaf
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Correspondence:
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Opoka-Winiarska V, Tomaszek MB, Sobiesiak A, Rybkowska A, Lejman M, Jaszczuk LI, Woźniak MM, Zielonka-Lamparska E, Chrapko B. The importance of FDG PET/CT in the diagnostic process of the middle aortic syndrome in a 15-year-old boy patient with suspected systemic vasculitis and final diagnosis of Williams-Beuren syndrome. Rheumatol Int 2020; 40:1309-1316. [PMID: 32239321 PMCID: PMC7316673 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-020-04550-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The differential diagnosis in children with the systemic vasculopathy is still a challenge for clinicians. The progress in vascular imaging and the latest recommendations improve the diagnostic process, but only single reports describe the use of new imaging tests in children. The publication aims to demonstrate the important role of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography combined with anatomical computed tomography angiography (PET/CTA) imaging in the case of a 15-year-old boy with chest pain, intermittent claudication, hypertension and features of middle aortic syndrome in computed tomography angiography (CTA). The patient was suspected to have Takayasu arteritis, but was finally diagnosed with Williams–Beuren syndrome. The case indicates that the FDG PET/CT imaging might be essential in the diagnostic process of middle aortic syndrome in children. We suggest that this imaging technique should be considered in the diagnostic process of systemic vasculopathy particularly in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violetta Opoka-Winiarska
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maria Barbara Tomaszek
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Sobiesiak
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Rybkowska
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - lIona Jaszczuk
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | | | - Beata Chrapko
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Dasilva M, Navarro-Guzman A, Ortiz-Romero P, Camassa A, Muñoz-Cespedes A, Campuzano V, Sanchez-Vives MV. Altered Neocortical Dynamics in a Mouse Model of Williams-Beuren Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:765-777. [PMID: 31471877 PMCID: PMC7031212 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01732-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by moderate intellectual disability and learning difficulties alongside behavioral abnormalities such as hypersociability. Several structural and functional brain alterations are characteristic of this syndrome, as well as disturbed sleep and sleeping patterns. However, the detailed physiological mechanisms underlying WBS are mostly unknown. Here, we characterized the cortical dynamics in a mouse model of WBS previously reported to replicate most of the behavioral alterations described in humans. We recorded the laminar local field potential generated in the frontal cortex during deep anesthesia and characterized the properties of the emergent slow oscillation activity. Moreover, we performed micro-electrocorticogram recordings using multielectrode arrays covering the cortical surface of one hemisphere. We found significant differences between the cortical emergent activity and functional connectivity between wild-type mice and WBS model mice. Slow oscillations displayed Up states with diminished firing rate and lower high-frequency content in the gamma range. Lower firing rates were also recorded in the awake WBS animals while performing a marble burying task and could be associated with the decreased spine density and thus synaptic connectivity in this cortical area. We also found an overall increase in functional connectivity between brain areas, reflected in lower clustering and abnormally high integration, especially in the gamma range. These results expand previous findings in humans, suggesting that the cognitive deficits characterizing WBS might be associated with reduced excitability, plus an imbalance in the capacity to functionally integrate and segregate information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Dasilva
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alvaro Navarro-Guzman
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Ortiz-Romero
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alessandra Camassa
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alberto Muñoz-Cespedes
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales (CTB), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Depatamento de Biología Celular, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Campuzano
- Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria V Sanchez-Vives
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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Codina-Sola M, Costa-Roger M, Pérez-García D, Flores R, Palacios-Verdú MG, Cusco I, Pérez-Jurado LA. Genetic factors contributing to autism spectrum disorder in Williams-Beuren syndrome. J Med Genet 2019; 56:801-808. [PMID: 31413120 PMCID: PMC6929708 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hallmark of the neurobehavioural phenotype of Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is increased sociability and relatively preserved language skills, often described as opposite to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, the prevalence of ASD in WBS is 6-10 times higher than in the general population. We have investigated the genetic factors that could contribute to the ASD phenotype in individuals with WBS. METHODS We studied four males and four females with WBS and a confirmed diagnosis of ASD by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. We performed a detailed molecular characterisation of the deletion and searched for genomic variants using exome sequencing. RESULTS A de novo deletion of 1.55 Mb (6 cases) or 1.83 Mb (2 cases) at 7q11.23 was detected, being in 7/8 patients of paternal origin. No common breakpoint, deletion mechanism or size was found. Two cases were hemizygous for the rare T allele at rs12539160 in MLXIPL, previously associated with ASD. Inherited rare variants in ASD-related or functionally constrained genes and a de novo nonsense mutation in the UBR5 gene were identified in six cases, with higher burden in females compared with males (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS The increased susceptibility to ASD in patients with WBS might be due to additive effects of the common WBS deletion, inherited and de novo rare sequence variants in ASD-related genes elsewhere in the genome, with higher burden of deleterious mutations required for females, and possible hypomorphic variants in the hemizygous allele or cis-acting mechanisms on imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Codina-Sola
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical and Molecular Genetics Area, Vall Hebrón Hospital Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mar Costa-Roger
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Debora Pérez-García
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Flores
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Gabriela Palacios-Verdú
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
- Fundacio Dexeus Salut de la Dona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ivon Cusco
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical and Molecular Genetics Area, Vall Hebrón Hospital Research Institute (VHIR), Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Pérez-Jurado
- Genetics Unit, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Universitat Pompeu Fabra Departament de Ciences Experimentals i de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
- SA Clinical Genetics, Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Erşan HBA, Güven D, Demir AG, Dirim AB, Kaçar H, Arslan D. Multimodal Retinal Imaging Findings in Williams-Beuren Syndrome. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2019; 50:514-518. [PMID: 31415699 DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20190806-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with Williams-Beuren syndrome presented with a gradual decline in vision in both eyes during a 3-year period. The ophthalmologic examination was notable for numerous loop-shaped tortuous vessels accompanying normal appearing retinal vessels and cystoid macular edema (CME). Mild foveal hypoplasia with a persistence of inner retinal layers was noted on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT angiography showed that the abnormal vessels were not retinal vessels but were compatible with prepapillary vascular loops. The CME persisted despite repeated intravitreal bevacizumab treatment. The resolution was observed following an intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:514-518.].
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Yuan Z, Chen P, Zhang T, Shen B, Chen L. Agenesis and Hypomyelination of Corpus Callosum in Mice Lacking Nsun5, an RNA Methyltransferase. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060552. [PMID: 31174389 PMCID: PMC6627898 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by microdeletions of 28 genes and is characterized by cognitive disorder and hypotrophic corpus callosum (CC). Nsun5 gene, which encodes cytosine-5 RNA methyltransferase, is located in the deletion loci of WBS. We have reported that single-gene knockout of Nsun5 (Nsun5-KO) in mice impairs spatial cognition. Herein, we report that postnatal day (PND) 60 Nsun5-KO mice showed the volumetric reduction of CC with a decline in the number of myelinated axons and loose myelin sheath. Nsun5 was highly expressed in callosal oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs) from PND7 to PND28. The numbers of OPCs and OLs in CC of PND7-28 Nsun5-KO mice were significantly reduced compared to wild-type littermates. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses of myelin basic protein (MBP) showed the hypomyelination in the CC of PND28 Nsun5-KO mice. The Nsun5 deletion suppressed the proliferation of OPCs but did not affect transition of radial glial cells into OPCs or cell cycle exit of OPCs. The protein levels, rather than transcriptional levels, of CDK1, CDK2 and Cdc42 in the CC of PND7 and PND14 Nsun5-KO mice were reduced. These findings point to the involvement of Nsun5 deletion in agenesis of CC observed in WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Peipei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Tingting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Bin Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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Palmieri S, Bedeschi MF, Cairoli E, Morelli V, Lunati ME, Scillitani A, Carnevale V, Lalatta F, Barbieri AM, Orsi E, Spada A, Chiodini I, Eller-Vainicher C. Bone involvement and mineral metabolism in Williams' syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:337-344. [PMID: 30030744 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0924-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The previous studies suggested a possible increased risk of hypercalcaemia and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in Williams' syndrome (WS). However, an extensive study regarding bone metabolism has never been performed. OBJECTIVE To investigate bone health in young adults with WS. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTINGS Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases and Medical Genetic Units. PATIENTS 29 WS young adults and 29 age- and sex-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES In all subjects, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHVitD), osteocalcin (OC), carboxyterminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), 24-h urinary calcium and phosphorus, femoral-neck (FN) and lumbar-spine (LS) BMD and vertebral fractures (VFx) were assessed. In 19 patients, serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) levels were measured. RESULTS WS patients showed lower phosphorus (3.1 ± 0.7 vs 3.8 ± 0.5 mg/dL, p = 0.0001) and TmP/GFR (0.81 ± 0.32 vs 1.06 ± 0.25 mmol/L, p = 0.001), and an increased prevalence (p = 0.005) of hypophosphoremia (34.5 vs 3.4%) and reduced TmP/GFR (37.9 vs 3.4%). Moreover, bALP (26.3 ± 8.5 vs 35.0 ± 8.0 U/L), PTH (24.5 ± 12.6 vs 33.7 ± 10.8 pg/mL), OC (19.4 ± 5.3 vs 24.5 ± 8.7 ng/mL), and FN-BMD (- 0.51 ± 0.32 vs 0.36 ± 0.32) were significantly lower (p < 0.05), while CTX significantly higher (401.2 ± 169.3 vs 322.3 ± 122.4 pg/mL, p < 0.05). Serum and urinary calcium and 25OHVitD levels, LS-BMD and VFx prevalence were comparable. No cases of hypercalcemia and suppressed FGF23 were documented. Patients with low vs normal phosphorus and low vs normal TmP/GFR showed comparable FGF23 levels. FGF23 did not correlate with phosphorus and TmP/GFR values. CONCLUSIONS Adult WS patients have reduced TmP/GFR, inappropriately normal FGF23 levels and an uncoupled bone turnover with low femoral BMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Palmieri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | - M F Bedeschi
- Medical Genetic Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - E Cairoli
- Department of Medical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Morelli
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - M E Lunati
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - A Scillitani
- Unit of Endocrinology, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - V Carnevale
- Unit of Internal Medicine, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - F Lalatta
- Medical Genetic Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A M Barbieri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - E Orsi
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - A Spada
- Department of Medical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - I Chiodini
- Department of Medical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Unit for Bone Metabolism Diseases and Diabetes and Lab of Endocrine and Metabolic Research, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - C Eller-Vainicher
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
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Lucena Delgado J, Sanabria Carretero P, Durán la Fuente P, Gónzalez Rocafort A, Castro Parga L, Reinoso Barbero F. Cardiac arrest related to anaesthesia in Williams-Beuren syndrome. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim (Engl Ed) 2018; 65:234-237. [PMID: 29246395 DOI: 10.1016/j.redar.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome is the clinical manifestation of a congenital genetic disorder in the elastin gene, among others. There is a history of cardiac arrest refractory to resuscitation manoeuvres in anaesthesia. The incidence of myocardial ischaemia is high during anaesthetic induction, but there are patients who do not have this condition yet also have had very serious cardiac events, and issues that are still to be resolved. Case descriptions will enable the common pathophysiological factors to be defined, and decrease morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 3-year-old boy with cardiac arrest at induction, rescued with circulatory assistance with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and hypothermia induced for cerebral protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lucena Delgado
- Departamento de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
| | - P Sanabria Carretero
- Departamento de Anestesiología Pediátrica, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - P Durán la Fuente
- Departamento de Anestesiología Pediátrica, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - A Gónzalez Rocafort
- Departamento de Cirugía Cardíaca Pediátrica, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - L Castro Parga
- Departamento de Anestesiología Pediátrica, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
| | - F Reinoso Barbero
- Departamento de Anestesiología Pediátrica, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España
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Maurino V, Azzi L, Vinci R, Croveri F, Boggio A, Silvestre-Rangil J, Tettamanti L, Tagliabue A. The elfin face: craniofacial and dental aspects of the Williams-Beuren syndrome. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2017; 31:105-111. [PMID: 28691460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by supravalvular aortic stenosis, peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis, mental retard and dysmorfic facial features. As regards the dental aspects of the syndrome, the deletion of the elastin gene induced clinicians to suspect periodontal alterations with a greater frequency of gingivo-periodontitis, but on the contrary no association between the syndrome and periodontal diseases have been found. Furthermore, patients show a higher frequency of teeth hypoplasia, an abnormal tooth morphology during primary dentition (12.5%) and during permanent dentition. We present a case report of a 12-year-old Caucasian boy affected by Williams-Beuren Syndrome who visited our hospital for a dental and orthodontic evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Maurino
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
| | - L Azzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
| | - R Vinci
- Oral Surgery, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan Italy
| | - F Croveri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
| | - A Boggio
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
| | - J Silvestre-Rangil
- Stomatology and Oral Surgery, Dr Peset University Hospital, Department of Stomatology, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - L Tettamanti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
| | - A Tagliabue
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Research Centre into Paediatric Dentistry and Rare Syndromes, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Varese, Italy
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Gerreth K, Pawlaczyk-Kamieńska T. [Special dental management in patients with Williams syndrome]. Przegl Lek 2016; 73:671-674. [PMID: 29688679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disease. The disorder is characterized by symptoms, such as facial dysmorphism, defects within the masticatory organ and cardiovascular system as well as intellectual and physical disability. Moreover, the disorder may also affect vision or hearing, gastrointestinal and urogenital system and skin. Limited cooperation with children suffering from WS is related not only from their young age and fear of dental treatment but also with hypersensitivity to sounds, which is one of the symptoms of this disease. Therefore, there is a need to carry out special dental treatment of such patients. AIM The aim of the paper is to describe the case of a patient with Williams syndrome. CASE REPORT The girl showed characteristic findings of the disease such as heart defect and typical facial features (known as “ elfin face” with full lips, wide mouth, long and smooth philtrum, prominent forehead and malocclusion). A radiological examination revealed lack of few permanent premolars and incisor. In addition, the patient had many teeth with active caries process and its complications. Therefore, comprehensive dental therapeutic procedures were carried out. At the beginning of the treatment the sensitivity to high-pitched sounds as well as the significant anxiety of the child before dental intervention were the problem. CONCLUSIONS In individuals with congenital syndromes it is necessary to prepare the patient for dental prophylaxis and therapeutic approach with regard to a variety of physical and intellectual limitations. In addition, there is a need for systematic dental care from their infancy.
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Osório A, Soares JM, Prieto MF, Vasconcelos C, Fernandes C, Sousa S, Carracedo A, Gonçalves OF, Sampaio A. Cerebral and cerebellar MRI volumes in Williams syndrome. Res Dev Disabil 2014; 35:922-928. [PMID: 24529862 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 12/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) present a set of cognitive, affective and motor symptoms that resemble those of patients with lesions to the cerebellum. Although there is some evidence for overall structural alterations in this brain region in WS, explorations on cerebellar white matter and cerebellar cortex volumes remain rather neglected. We aimed to compare absolute and relative cerebellar volumes, as well as patterns of white matter to cortex volumes in this brain region, between a group of individuals with WS and a group of healthy controls. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired in 17 individuals with WS and in 15 typically developing individuals. Our results showed that even though individuals from the clinical group had significantly smaller cerebrums (and cerebellums), cerebellar volumes relative to intracranial volumes were significantly enlarged. In addition, while gray matter was relatively spared and white matter disproportionately reduced in the cerebrum in WS, relative cerebellar cortex and white matter volumes were preserved. These findings support the hypothesis that volume alterations in the cerebellum are associated with the cognitive, affective and motor profiles in WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Osório
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - José Miguel Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Minho, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associated Laboratory, Guimarães, Braga, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Portugal
| | - Montse Fernández Prieto
- Biomedical Research Center Network for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), University of Santiago of Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Genetic Molecular Unit, Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine, Galicia, Spain
| | | | - Catarina Fernandes
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Sousa
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Angel Carracedo
- Biomedical Research Center Network for Rare Diseases (CIBERER), University of Santiago of Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Genetic Molecular Unit, Galician Public Foundation of Genomic Medicine, Galicia, Spain
| | - Oscar F Gonçalves
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Parlak M, Nur BG, Mıhçı E, Durmaz E, Karaüzüm SB, Akcurin S, Bircan İ. Clinical expression of familial Williams-Beuren syndrome in a Turkish family. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2014; 27:153-8. [PMID: 24057591 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2013-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive facial features, intellectual disability with a typical neurobehavioral profile, cardiovascular anomalies, and occasional infantile hypercalcemia. Majority of cases occur sporadically, and only a few cases of familial WBS have been reported. Although pre- and post-natal growth retardation is a common clinical feature of the syndrome, growth hormone deficiency is detected only in a few patients. To our knowledge, there has only been one report about familial Williams-Beuren syndrome in the Turkish population. Here, we report on the three molecular cytogenetically confirmed familial Williams-Beuren syndromes detected in a family with familial short stature. The father, daughter, and son analyzed with clinical and laboratory findings, and reasons of the short stature in Williams-Beuren syndrome are discussed through the literature.
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Menghini D, Di Paola M, Murri R, Costanzo F, Caltagirone C, Vicari S, Petrosini L. Cerebellar vermis abnormalities and cognitive functions in individuals with Williams syndrome. Res Dev Disabil 2013; 34:2118-2126. [PMID: 23643765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In Williams syndrome (WS) cerebellar measures were only indirectly related to behavioral outcomes. T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and neuropsychological data were acquired to investigate whether cerebellar vermis differences were present in 12 WS individuals compared with 13 chronological age-matched controls and whether WS cerebellar vermis measures were related to cognitive scores. In WS participants, we observed a significant increase in the volume of the posterior superior cerebellar vermis (lobules VI-VII) and an atypical ratio between width and height of the cerebellar vermis. Furthermore, we found an inverse correlation between cerebellar posterior vermis volume and scores on implicit learning, phonological fluency and the verbal short-term memory tasks. The present study supported a role for the posterior cerebellar vermis in higher cognitive processes and indicated that the cerebellar vermis abnormalities (enlargement) in WS individuals have an effect in worsening the cognitive performance in specific domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deny Menghini
- Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Kinnear C, Chang WY, Khattak S, Hinek A, Thompson T, de Carvalho Rodrigues D, Kennedy K, Mahmut N, Pasceri P, Stanford WL, Ellis J, Mital S. Modeling and rescue of the vascular phenotype of Williams-Beuren syndrome in patient induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2012; 2:2-15. [PMID: 23283491 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2012-0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Elastin haploinsufficiency in Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) leads to increased vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and stenoses. Our objective was to generate a human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cell model for in vitro assessment of the WBS phenotype and to test the ability of candidate agents to rescue the phenotype. hiPS cells were reprogrammed from skin fibroblasts of a WBS patient with aortic and pulmonary stenosis and healthy control BJ fibroblasts using four-factor retrovirus reprogramming and were differentiated into SMCs. Differentiated SMCs were treated with synthetic elastin-binding protein ligand 2 (EBPL2) (20 μg/ml) or the antiproliferative drug rapamycin (100 nM) for 5 days. We generated four WBS induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines that expressed pluripotency genes and differentiated into all three germ layers. Directed differentiation of BJ iPS cells yielded an 85%-92% pure SMC population that expressed differentiated SMC markers, were functionally contractile, and formed tube-like structures on three-dimensional gel assay. Unlike BJ iPS cells, WBS iPS cells generated immature SMCs that were highly proliferative, showed lower expression of differentiated SMC markers, reduced response to the vasoactive agonists, carbachol and endothelin-1, impaired vascular tube formation, and reduced calcium flux. EBPL2 partially rescued and rapamycin fully rescued the abnormal SMC phenotype by decreasing the smooth muscle proliferation rate and enhancing differentiation and tube formation. WBS iPS cell-derived SMCs demonstrate an immature proliferative phenotype with reduced functional and contractile properties, thereby recapitulating the human disease phenotype. The ability of rapamycin to rescue the phenotype provides an attractive therapeutic candidate for patients with WBS and vascular stenoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kinnear
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Fahim C, Yoon U, Nashaat NH, Khalil AK, El-Belbesy M, Mancini-Marie A, Evans AC, Meguid N. Williams syndrome: a relationship between genetics, brain morphology and behaviour. J Intellect Disabil Res 2012; 56:879-894. [PMID: 22044458 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2011.01490.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetically Williams syndrome (WS) promises to provide essential insight into the pathophysiology of cortical development because its ∼28 deleted genes are crucial for cortical neuronal migration and maturation. Phenotypically, WS is one of the most puzzling childhood neurodevelopmental disorders affecting most intellectual deficiencies (i.e. low-moderate intelligence quotient, visuospatial deficits) yet relatively preserving what is uniquely human (i.e. language and social-emotional cognition). Therefore, WS provides a privileged setting for investigating the relationship between genes, brain and the consequent complex human behaviour. METHODS We used in vivo anatomical magnetic resonance imaging analysing cortical surface-based morphometry, (i.e. surface area, cortical volume, cortical thickness, gyrification index) and cortical complexity, which is of particular relevance to the WS genotype-phenotype relationship in 22 children (2.27-14.6 years) to compare whole hemisphere and lobar surface-based morphometry between WS (n = 10) and gender/age matched normal controls healthy controls (n = 12). RESULTS Compared to healthy controls, WS children had a (1) relatively preserved Cth; (2) significantly reduced SA and CV; (3) significantly increased GI mostly in the parietal lobe; and (4) decreased CC specifically in the frontal and parietal lobes. CONCLUSION Our findings are then discussed with reference to the Rakic radial-unit hypothesis of cortical development, arguing that WS gene deletions may spare Cth yet affecting the number of founder cells/columns/radial units, hence decreasing the SA and CV. In essence, cortical brain structure in WS may be shaped by gene-dosage abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fahim
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Politics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Sampaio A, Bouix S, Sousa N, Vasconcelos C, Férnandez M, Shenton ME, Gonçalves ÓF. Morphometry of corpus callosum in Williams syndrome: shape as an index of neural development. Brain Struct Funct 2012; 218:711-20. [PMID: 22648762 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-012-0423-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Brain abnormalities in Williams syndrome (WS) have been consistently reported, despite few studies have devoted attention to connectivity between different brain regions in WS. In this study, we evaluated corpus callosum (CC) morphometry: bending angle, length, thickness and curvature of CC using a new shape analysis method in a group of 17 individuals with WS matched with a typically developing group. We used this multimethod approach because we hypothesized that neurodevelopmental abnormalities might result in both volume changes and structure deformation. Overall, we found reduced absolute CC cross-sectional area and volume in WS (mean CC and subsections). In parallel, we observed group differences regarding CC shape and thickness. Specifically, CC of WS is morphologically different, characterized by a larger bending angle and being more curved in the posterior part. Moreover, although CC in WS is shorter, a larger relative thickness of CC was found in all callosal sections. Finally, groups differed regarding the association between CC measures, age, white matter volume and cognitive performance. In conclusions, abnormal patterns of CC morphology and shape may be implicated in WS cognitive and behavioural phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Sampaio
- Neuropsychophysiology Laboratory, CiPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
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Haas BW, Hoeft F, Barnea-Goraly N, Golarai G, Bellugi U, Reiss A. Preliminary evidence of abnormal white matter related to the fusiform gyrus in Williams syndrome: a diffusion tensor imaging tractography study. Genes Brain Behav 2012; 11:62-8. [PMID: 21939500 PMCID: PMC5575913 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00733.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition caused by a hemizygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23. WS is characterized by a distinctive social phenotype composed of increased drive toward social engagement and attention toward faces. In addition, individuals with WS exhibit abnormal structure and function of brain regions important for the processing of faces such as the fusiform gyrus. This study was designed to investigate if white matter tracts related to the fusiform gyrus in WS exhibit abnormal structural integrity as compared to typically developing (TD; age matched) and developmentally delayed (DD; intelligence quotient matched) controls. Using diffusion tensor imaging data collected from 40 (20 WS, 10 TD and 10 DD) participants, white matter fibers were reconstructed that project through the fusiform gyrus and two control regions (caudate and the genu of the corpus callosum). Macro-structural integrity was assessed by calculating the total volume of reconstructed fibers and micro-structural integrity was assessed by calculating fractional anisotropy (FA) and fiber density index (FDi) of reconstructed fibers. WS participants, as compared to controls, exhibited an increase in the volume of reconstructed fibers and an increase in FA and FDi for fibers projecting through the fusiform gyrus. No between-group differences were observed in the fibers that project through the control regions. Although preliminary, these results provide further evidence that the brain anatomy important for processing faces is abnormal in WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W. Haas
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd. Palo Alto, CA USA 94305-5795
| | - Fumiko Hoeft
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd. Palo Alto, CA USA 94305-5795
| | - Naama Barnea-Goraly
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd. Palo Alto, CA USA 94305-5795
| | - Golijeh Golarai
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA USA 94305
| | - Ursula Bellugi
- Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Allan Reiss
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research (CIBSR), Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd. Palo Alto, CA USA 94305-5795
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Capitão L, Sampaio A, Sampaio C, Vasconcelos C, Férnandez M, Garayzábal E, Shenton ME, Gonçalves OF. MRI amygdala volume in Williams Syndrome. Res Dev Disabil 2011; 32:2767-2772. [PMID: 21752593 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
One of the most intriguing characteristics of Williams Syndrome individuals is their hypersociability. The amygdala has been consistently implicated in the etiology of this social profile, particularly given its role in emotional and social behavior. This study examined amygdala volume and symmetry in WS individuals and in age and sex matched controls. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained on a GE 1.5-T magnet with 1.5-mm contiguous slices and were used to measure whole gray matter, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid volumes, as well as amygdala volume (right and left). Results revealed significantly reduced intracranial volume in individuals with WS, compared with controls. There were no differences between groups in absolute amygdalae volume, although there was a relative increase in amygdalae volumes, when adjusted for total intracranial content. There were no inter-hemispheric differences in amygdalae volumes in both groups. These results suggest a relative increase in amygdala volume in WS compared with healthy controls that likely reflects abnormal neurodevelopmental processes of midline brain structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Capitão
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Wengenroth M, Blatow M, Bendszus M, Schneider P. Leftward lateralization of auditory cortex underlies holistic sound perception in Williams syndrome. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12326. [PMID: 20808792 PMCID: PMC2925895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with the rare genetic disorder Williams-Beuren syndrome (WS) are known for their characteristic auditory phenotype including strong affinity to music and sounds. In this work we attempted to pinpoint a neural substrate for the characteristic musicality in WS individuals by studying the structure-function relationship of their auditory cortex. Since WS subjects had only minor musical training due to psychomotor constraints we hypothesized that any changes compared to the control group would reflect the contribution of genetic factors to auditory processing and musicality. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using psychoacoustics, magnetoencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging, we show that WS individuals exhibit extreme and almost exclusive holistic sound perception, which stands in marked contrast to the even distribution of this trait in the general population. Functionally, this was reflected by increased amplitudes of left auditory evoked fields. On the structural level, volume of the left auditory cortex was 2.2-fold increased in WS subjects as compared to control subjects. Equivalent volumes of the auditory cortex have been previously reported for professional musicians. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE There has been an ongoing debate in the neuroscience community as to whether increased gray matter of the auditory cortex in musicians is attributable to the amount of training or innate disposition. In this study musical education of WS subjects was negligible and control subjects were carefully matched for this parameter. Therefore our results not only unravel the neural substrate for this particular auditory phenotype, but in addition propose WS as a unique genetic model for training-independent auditory system properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Wengenroth
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany.
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22
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Nagamine M, Mimura M, Reiss AL, Hoeft F. [Investigating the "social brain" through Williams syndrome]. Brain Nerve 2010; 62:877-884. [PMID: 20714036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in social cognitive neuroscience have led to the concept of the "social brain". The social brain includes neural processes specialized for processing social information necessary for the recognition of self and others, and interpersonal relationships. Because of its unique behavioral phenotypic features which includes 'hypersociability', Williams syndrome has gained popularity among social cognitive neuroscientists. Individuals with Williams syndrome share the same genetic risk factor for cognitive-behavioral dysfunction utilizing brain imaging to elucidate endophenotype provides us with an unprecendented opportunity to study gene, brain and behavior relationships especially those related to social cognition. In this review, we provide an overview of neuroimaging studies on social cognition in Williams syndrome and discuss the neural basis of the social brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Nagamine
- Department of Psychiatry, Japan Self Defense Force Fukuoka Hospital, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
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Martens MA, Reutens DC, Wilson SJ. Auditory cortical volumes and musical ability in Williams syndrome. Neuropsychologia 2010; 48:2602-9. [PMID: 20457168 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2009] [Revised: 04/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) have been shown to have atypical morphology in the auditory cortex, an area associated with aspects of musicality. Some individuals with WS have demonstrated specific musical abilities, despite intellectual delays. Primary auditory cortex and planum temporale volumes were manually segmented in 25 individuals with WS and 25 control participants, and the participants also underwent testing of musical abilities. Left and right planum temporale volumes were significantly larger in the participants with WS than in controls, with no significant difference noted between groups in planum temporale asymmetry or primary auditory cortical volumes. Left planum temporale volume was significantly increased in a subgroup of the participants with WS who demonstrated specific musical strengths, as compared to the remaining WS participants, and was highly correlated with scores on a musical task. These findings suggest that differences in musical ability within WS may be in part associated with variability in the left auditory cortical region, providing further evidence of cognitive and neuroanatomical heterogeneity within this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilee A Martens
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Newark, OH 43055, USA.
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Cohen JD, Mock JR, Nichols T, Zadina J, Corey DM, Lemen L, Bellugi U, Galaburda A, Reiss A, Foundas AL. Morphometry of human insular cortex and insular volume reduction in Williams syndrome. J Psychiatr Res 2010; 44:81-9. [PMID: 19660766 PMCID: PMC2813413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2009] [Revised: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 07/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Functional imaging in humans and anatomical data in monkeys have implicated the insula as a multimodal sensory integrative brain region. The topography of insular connections is organized by its cytoarchitectonic regions. Previous attempts to measure the insula have utilized either indirect or automated methods. This study was designed to develop a reliable method for obtaining volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of the human insular cortex, and to validate that method by examining the anatomy of insular cortex in adults with Williams syndrome (WS) and healthy age-matched controls. Statistical reliability was obtained among three raters for this method, supporting its reproducibility not only across raters, but within different software packages. The procedure described here utilizes native-space morphometry as well as a method for dividing the insula into connectivity-based sub-regions estimated from cytoarchitectonics. Reliability was calculated in both ANALYZE (N=3) and BrainImageJava (N=10) where brain scans were measured once in each hemisphere by each rater. This highly reliable method revealed total, anterior, and posterior insular volume reduction bilaterally (all p's<.002) in WS, after accounting for reduced total brain volumes in these participants. Although speculative, the reduced insular volumes in WS may represent a neural risk for the development of hyperaffiliative social behavior with increased specific phobias, and implicate the insula as a critical limbic integrative region. Native-space quantification of the insula may be valuable in the study of neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorders related to anxiety and social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Cohen
- Neuroscience Program, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States.
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Beunders G, van de Kamp JM, Veenhoven RH, van Hagen JM, Nieuwint AWM, Sistermans EA. A triplication of the Williams-Beuren syndrome region in a patient with mental retardation, a severe expressive language delay, behavioural problems and dysmorphisms. J Med Genet 2009; 47:271-5. [PMID: 19752158 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2009.070490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrachromosomal triplications are rare chromosomal rearrangements. In most triplication cases the phenotype is similar to, but more severe than observed in patients with a duplication of the same region. The Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) region on 7q11.23, is prone to chromosomal rearrangements. A common deletion causes the well-characterised Williams-Beuren syndrome. The reciprocal duplication has been described in 27 families only, and is associated with a variable phenotype, including speech delay with (mild) mental retardation, autism and mild dysmorphic features. As the duplication of the WBS region is sometimes found inunaffected parents, initially some doubts have been raised about the pathogenicity of the duplication. RESULTS AND METHODS We here describe the first triplication of a large part of the WBS region, detected with array CGH and confirmed by MLPA and FISH. The phenotypic features include mental retardation, a severe expressive language delay, behavioural problems and dysmorphisms. CONCLUSION These features are remarkably similar, but seem more severe, compared to features seen in duplication patients. Therefore, our findings support the idea that an amplification of the WBS region is a disease-causing event, although the penetrance might be incomplete.
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Paul BM, Snyder AZ, Haist F, Raichle ME, Bellugi U, Stiles J. Amygdala response to faces parallels social behavior in Williams syndrome. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2009; 4:278-85. [PMID: 19633063 PMCID: PMC2728637 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsp023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2008] [Accepted: 06/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS), a genetically determined disorder, show relatively strong face-processing abilities despite poor visuospatial skills and depressed intellectual function. Interestingly, beginning early in childhood they also show an unusually high level of interest in face-to-face social interaction. We employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate physiological responses in face-sensitive brain regions, including ventral occipito-temporal cortex and the amygdala, in this unique genetic disorder. Participants included 17 individuals with WS, 17 age- and gender-matched healthy adults (chronological age-matched controls, CA) and 17 typically developing 8- to 9-year-old children (developmental age controls, DA). While engaged in a face discrimination task, WS participants failed to recruit the amygdala, unlike both CA and DA controls. WS fMRI responses in ventral occipito-temporal cortex, however, were comparable to those of DA controls. Given the integral role of the amygdala in social behavior, the failure of WS participants to recruit this region during face processing may be a neural correlate of the abnormally high sociability that characterizes this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna M Paul
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Marenco S, Siuta MA, Kippenhan JS, Grodofsky S, Chang WL, Kohn P, Mervis CB, Morris CA, Weinberger DR, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Pierpaoli C, Berman KF. Genetic contributions to white matter architecture revealed by diffusion tensor imaging in Williams syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:15117-22. [PMID: 17827280 PMCID: PMC1986622 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704311104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Little is known about genetic regulation of the development of white matter. This knowledge is critical in understanding the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental syndromes associated with altered cognition as well as in elucidating the genetics of normal human cognition. The hemideletion of approximately 25 genes on chromosome 7q11.23 that causes Williams syndrome (WS) includes genes that regulate cytoskeletal dynamics in neurons, especially LIMK1 and CYLN2, and therefore offers the opportunity to investigate the role of these genes in the formation of white matter tracts. We used diffusion tensor imaging to demonstrate alteration in white matter fiber directionality, deviation in posterior fiber tract course, and reduced lateralization of fiber coherence in WS. These abnormalities are consistent with an alteration of the late stages of neuronal migration, define alterations of white matter structures underlying dissociable behavioral phenotypes in WS, and provide human in vivo information about genetic control of white matter tract formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Marenco
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, Genes Cognition and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Sinha
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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Berg JS, Brunetti-Pierri N, Peters SU, Kang SHL, Fong CT, Salamone J, Freedenberg D, Hannig VL, Prock LA, Miller DT, Raffalli P, Harris DJ, Erickson RP, Cunniff C, Clark GD, Blazo MA, Peiffer DA, Gunderson KL, Sahoo T, Patel A, Lupski JR, Beaudet AL, Cheung SW. Speech delay and autism spectrum behaviors are frequently associated with duplication of the 7q11.23 Williams-Beuren syndrome region. Genet Med 2007; 9:427-41. [PMID: 17666889 DOI: 10.1097/gim.0b013e3180986192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Williams-Beuren syndrome is among the most well-characterized microdeletion syndromes, caused by recurrent de novo microdeletions at 7q11.23 mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination between low copy repeats flanking this critical region. However, the clinical phenotype associated with reciprocal microduplication of this genomic region is less well described. We investigated the molecular, clinical, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral features of seven patients with dup(7)(q11.23), including two children who inherited the microduplication from one of their parents, to more fully characterize this emerging microduplication syndrome. METHODS Patients were identified by array-based comparative genomic hybridization. Clinical examinations were performed on seven affected probands, and detailed cognitive and behavioral evaluations were carried out on four of the affected probands. RESULTS Our findings confirm initial reports of speech delay seen in patients with dup(7)(q11.23) and further delineate and expand the phenotypic spectrum of this condition to include communication, social interactions, and repetitive interests that are often observed in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. CONCLUSIONS Array-based comparative genomic hybridization is a powerful means of detecting genomic imbalances and identifying molecular etiologies in the clinic setting, including genomic disorders such as Williams-Beuren syndrome and dup(7)(q11.23). We propose that dup(7)(q11.23) syndrome may be as frequent as Williams-Beuren syndrome and a previously unrecognized cause of language delay and behavioral abnormalities. Indeed, these individuals may first be referred for evaluation of autism, even if they do not ultimately meet diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Berg
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Abstract
1. Arterial stiffness, which has independent predictive value for cardiovascular events, seems to have a genetic component, largely independent of the influence of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. 2. In animal models of essential hypertension (stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats), structural modifications of the arterial wall include an increase in the number of elastin-smooth muscle cell connections and smaller fenestrations of the internal elastic lamina, possibility leading to redistribution of the mechanical load towards elastic materials. These modifications may give rise to mechanisms explaining why changes in arterial wall material accompanying wall hypertrophy in these animals are not associated with an increase in arterial stiffness. 3. In monogenic connective tissue diseases (Marfan, Williams and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes) and the corresponding animal models, precise characterization of the arterial phenotype makes it possible to determine the influence of abnormal, genetically determined, wall components on arterial stiffness. 4. Such studies have highlighted the role of extracellular matrix signalling in the vascular wall and have shown that elastin and collagen not only display elasticity or rigidity, but are also involved in the control of smooth muscle cell function. 5. These data provide strong evidence that arterial stiffness is affected by the amount and density of stiff wall material and the spatial organization of that material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn Kingwell
- Department of Pharmacology and INSERM U652, Hôpital Européen Georges, Pompidou, Université Paris-Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
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Luders E, Paola MD, Tomaiuolo F, Thompson PM, Toga AW, Vicari S, Petrides M, Caltagirone C. Callosal morphology in Williams syndrome: a new evaluation of shape and thickness. Neuroreport 2007; 18:203-7. [PMID: 17314657 PMCID: PMC3197850 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0b013e3280115942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We applied novel mesh-based geometrical modeling methods to calculate and compare the thickness of the corpus callosum at high spatial resolution and to create profiles of average callosal shape in a well-matched sample (n=24) of individuals with Williams syndrome and controls. In close agreement with previous observations, superimposed surface maps indicate that the corpus callosum in Williams syndrome individuals is shorter and less curved. Moreover, we observed significantly thinner callosal regions in Williams syndrome individuals across the posterior surface, where group effects were less pronounced and spatially restricted in brain-size-adjusted data compared with native data. Circumscribed structural alterations in callosal morphology might be candidate anatomic substrates for the unique cognitive and behavioral profile associated with Williams syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Luders
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology,UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- MEYER Ospedale Pediatrico
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'educazione, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Paul M. Thompson
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology,UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arthur W. Toga
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, Department of Neurology,UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Michael Petrides
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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van Hagen JM, van der Geest JN, van der Giessen RS, Lagers-van Haselen GC, Eussen HJFMM, Gille JJP, Govaerts LCP, Wouters CH, de Coo IFM, Hoogenraad CC, Koekkoek SKE, Frens MA, van Camp N, van der Linden A, Jansweijer MCE, Thorgeirsson SS, De Zeeuw CI. Contribution of CYLN2 and GTF2IRD1 to neurological and cognitive symptoms in Williams Syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2006; 26:112-24. [PMID: 17270452 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2006.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2006] [Revised: 10/12/2006] [Accepted: 12/06/2006] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams Syndrome (WS, [MIM 194050]) is a disorder caused by a hemizygous deletion of 25-30 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. Several of these genes including those encoding cytoplasmic linker protein-115 (CYLN2) and general transcription factors (GTF2I and GTF2IRD1) are expressed in the brain and may contribute to the distinct neurological and cognitive deficits in WS patients. Recent studies of patients with partial deletions indicate that hemizygosity of GTF2I probably contributes to mental retardation in WS. Here we investigate whether CYLN2 and GTF2IRD1 contribute to the motoric and cognitive deficits in WS. Behavioral assessment of a new patient in which STX1A and LIMK1, but not CYLN2 and GTF2IRD1, are deleted showed that his cognitive and motor coordination functions were significantly better than in typical WS patients. Comparative analyses of gene specific CYLN2 and GTF2IRD1 knockout mice showed that a reduced size of the corpus callosum as well as deficits in motor coordination and hippocampal memory formation may be attributed to a deletion of CYLN2, while increased ventricle volume can be attributed to both CYLN2 and GTF2IRD1. We conclude that the motor and cognitive deficits in Williams Syndrome are caused by a variety of genes and that heterozygous deletion of CYLN2 is one of the major causes responsible for such dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M van Hagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Human Genetics, VU University Medical Center, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Eckert MA, Galaburda AM, Mills DL, Bellugi U, Korenberg JR, Reiss AL. The neurobiology of Williams syndrome: cascading influences of visual system impairment? Cell Mol Life Sci 2006; 63:1867-75. [PMID: 16810457 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-005-5553-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is characterized by a unique pattern of cognitive, behavioral, and neurobiological findings that stem from a microdeletion of genes on chromosome 7. Visuospatial ability is particularly affected in WS and neurobiological studies of WS demonstrate atypical function and structure in posterior parietal, thalamic, and cerebellar regions that are important for performing space-based actions. This review summarizes the neurobiological findings in WS, and, based on these findings, we suggest that people with WS have a primary impairment in neural systems that support the performance of space-based actions. We also examine the question of whether impaired development of visual systems could affect the development of atypical social-emotional and language function in people with WS. Finally, we propose developmental explanations for the visual system impairments in WS. While hemizygosity for the transcription factor II-I gene family probably affects the development of visual systems, we also suggest that Lim-kinase 1 hemizygosity exacerbates the impairments in performing space-based actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Eckert
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, P.O. Box 250550, Charleston, 29425, USA.
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Eckert MA, Galaburda AM, Karchemskiy A, Liang A, Thompson P, Dutton RA, Lee AD, Bellugi U, Korenberg JR, Mills D, Rose FE, Reiss AL. Anomalous sylvian fissure morphology in Williams syndrome. Neuroimage 2006; 33:39-45. [PMID: 16876437 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2005] [Revised: 05/10/2006] [Accepted: 05/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The unusual sensitivity and attraction to auditory stimuli in people with Williams syndrome (WS) has been hypothesized to be the consequence of atypical development of brain regions surrounding the Sylvian fissure. Planum temporale surface area, which is determined in part by Sylvian fissure patterning, was examined in 42 WS and 40 control participants to determine if anomalous Sylvian fissure morphology is present in WS. WS participants had significantly reduced leftward asymmetry of the planum temporale compared to control participants, due to a significant expansion in the size of the right planum temporale. The increased right planum temporale size was largely due to WS participants (24%) who had a right hemisphere Sylvian fissure that coursed horizontally and failed to ascend into the parietal lobe. This sulcal pattern is unusual in the right hemisphere and is more commonly found in the left hemisphere of typically developing individuals. There were no control participants with this type of right hemisphere Sylvian fissure pattern. The right hemisphere Sylvian fissure sulcal patterns were also related to a measure of cortical complexity and the amount of right hemisphere occipital lobe volume, suggesting that intrinsic genetic influences leading to anomalous visual system development in WS have widespread influences on cortical morphology that are similar in manner to extrinsic embryonic visual system lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Eckert
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, 29425, USA.
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Miranda I, Aranda A, Soto V, Medrano GA, de Micheli A. [An ECG-anatomical comparison in a case of Williams' syndrome]. Arch Cardiol Mex 2006; 76:448-53. [PMID: 17315623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A case of Williams' syndrome in a 22 years old man, is described. Clinical data, as well as those of laboratory and of imageneology study, are reported. An electro-anatomical comparison permitted to verify the value of electrocardiographic signs of enlargement of the four heart chambers, due to a mixed overload. It permitted also to establish the value of the signs of the interatrial block, probably due to myocardial atrial fibrosis, and those suggesting hyperkalemia. The electrocardiogram always is very useful because it furnishes certain functional aspects permitting to allow structural inferences, in following subjects with congenital or acquired heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Miranda
- Del Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia Ignacio Chávez México, Juan Badiano Num. 1, col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan 14080, México D.F
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Gaser C, Luders E, Thompson PM, Lee AD, Dutton RA, Geaga JA, Hayashi KM, Bellugi U, Galaburda AM, Korenberg JR, Mills DL, Toga AW, Reiss AL. Increased local gyrification mapped in Williams syndrome. Neuroimage 2006; 33:46-54. [PMID: 16901723 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2006] [Revised: 06/01/2006] [Accepted: 06/06/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Applying a recently developed method to analyze gyrification with excellent spatial resolution across thousands of points across the lateral and medial cortical surface, we mapped differences in cortical surface anatomy between subjects with Williams syndrome (WS; n=42) and an age-matched sample of healthy subjects (n=40). WS subjects showed increased gyrification bilaterally in occipital regions and over the cuneus. Differences were more pronounced in the left hemisphere than in the right, with additional regions of increased gyrification in WS in the left precuneus, posterior and anterior cingulate, paracentral and mesial frontal lobe. No cortical area was significantly more convoluted in healthy subjects relative to the WS subjects. On the lateral surfaces, the direction and pattern of gyrification asymmetries were similar in WS subjects and controls; posterior brain regions had greater gyrification in the left hemisphere, while anterior brain regions showed greater gyrification in the right hemisphere. On the medial surfaces, control subjects and WS individuals differed considerably with respect to the degree but also direction of gyrification asymmetry. Our findings confirm and extend previous studies measuring cortical complexity at the global whole-brain or hemispheric levels. The observed gyrification abnormalities in individuals with WS might be related to dysfunctions in neuronal circuits and consequently contribute to the distinct cognitive and behavioral profile accompanying the disorder.
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Eckert MA, Tenforde A, Galaburda AM, Bellugi U, Korenberg JR, Mills D, Reiss AL. To modulate or not to modulate: Differing results in uniquely shaped Williams syndrome brains. Neuroimage 2006; 32:1001-7. [PMID: 16806978 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2006.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2005] [Revised: 04/20/2006] [Accepted: 05/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Voxel based morphometry (VBM) studies of Williams syndrome (WS) have demonstrated remarkably consistent findings of reduced posterior parietal gray matter compared to typical controls. Other WS VBM findings have been inconsistent, however. In particular, different findings have been reported for hypothalamus and orbitofrontal gray matter regions. We examined a sample of 8 WS and 9 control adults and show that the hypothalamus and orbitofrontal cortex results depend on whether the images undergo Jacobian modulation. Deformation based morphometry (DBM) analysis demonstrated that major brain shape differences between the groups accounted for the Jacobian modulated gray matter findings. These results indicate that cautious interpretations of modulated gray matter findings are warranted when there are gross shape and size differences between experimental groups. This study demonstrates the importance of methodological choices towards understanding a disorder like WS, but also highlights the consistency of parietal lobe, orbitofrontal, and midbrain findings for this disorder across methodologies, participants, and research groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Eckert
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, P.O. Box 250550, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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Abstract
Neonatal hepatitis and biliary hypoplasia are not recognised features of Williams syndrome. A case of Williams syndrome, presenting with neonatal conjugated hyperbilirubinaemia leading to an initial misdiagnosis is reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- K O'Reilly
- Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
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Meyer-Lindenberg A, Mervis CB, Berman KF. Neural mechanisms in Williams syndrome: a unique window to genetic influences on cognition and behaviour. Nat Rev Neurosci 2006; 7:380-93. [PMID: 16760918 DOI: 10.1038/nrn1906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 307] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome, a rare disorder caused by hemizygous microdeletion of about 28 genes on chromosome 7q11.23, has long intrigued neuroscientists with its unique combination of striking behavioural abnormalities, such as hypersociability, and characteristic neurocognitive profile. Williams syndrome, therefore, raises fundamental questions about the neural mechanisms of social behaviour, the modularity of mind and brain development, and provides a privileged setting to understand genetic influences on complex brain functions in a 'bottom-up' way. We review recent advances in uncovering the functional and structural neural substrates of Williams syndrome that provide an emerging understanding of how these are related to dissociable genetic contributions characterized both in special participant populations and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Unit for Systems Neuroscience in Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, DHHS, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1365, USA
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Boddaert N, Mochel F, Meresse I, Seidenwurm D, Cachia A, Brunelle F, Lyonnet S, Zilbovicius M. Parieto-occipital grey matter abnormalities in children with Williams syndrome. Neuroimage 2006; 30:721-5. [PMID: 16380272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2005] [Revised: 10/10/2005] [Accepted: 10/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from a hemizygous deletion of chromosome 7q11.23. The phenotype of WS consists of typical dysmorphic features, supravalvular aortic stenosis, infantile hypercalcemia and growth retardation. While language and facial recognition seem to be relatively spared, visuospatial constructive disabilities are a hallmark of the neurobehavioral profile of WS. In order to search for actual structural abnormalities underlying this precisely defined neurodevelopmental disorder, we performed anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 9 WS children (11.6 +/- 3.1 years; age range: 5.5-15 years) and 11 normal age-matched control children (11.8 +/- 2.2 years; age range: 8-15 years) using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). VBM is a fully automated whole-brain technique that delivers a voxel-wise assessment of regional grey and white matter concentration. A significant decrease in grey matter concentration was detected in the left parieto-occipital region of WS children (P < 0.05 corrected height threshold). The location of this abnormality in WS children coincides with the location of the structural abnormality previously described using the same method in 13 WS adults. These parieto-occipital abnormalities are consistent with the cognitive profile of WS which includes severe visuospatial construction and numerical cognition deficits. The demonstration of identical structural abnormalities in both adults and children argues for their early origin. Additionally, our study provides support for the use of advanced structural imaging techniques in children, in order to improve our understanding of neurobehavioral phenotypes associated with well-defined genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Boddaert
- ERM 0205 INSERM-CEA, Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, 4, place du General Leclerc, 91406 Orsay, France.
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Gothelf D, Furfaro JA, Penniman LC, Glover GH, Reiss AL. The contribution of novel brain imaging techniques to understanding the neurobiology of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 11:331-9. [PMID: 16240408 DOI: 10.1002/mrdd.20089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Studying the biological mechanisms underlying mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MR/DD) is a very complex task. This is due to the wide heterogeneity of etiologies and pathways that lead to MR/DD. Breakthroughs in genetics and molecular biology and the development of sophisticated brain imaging techniques during the last decades have facilitated the emergence of a field called Behavioral Neurogenetics. Behavioral Neurogenetics focuses on studying genetic diseases with known etiologies that are manifested by unique cognitive and behavioral phenotypes. In this review, we describe the principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, including structural MRI, functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and how they are implemented in the study of Williams (WS), velocardiofacial (VCFS), and fragile X (FXS) syndromes. From WS we learn that dorsal stream abnormalities can be associated with visuospatial deficits; VCFS is a model for exploring the molecular and brain pathways that lead to psychiatric disorders for which subjects with MR/DD are at increased risk; and finally, findings from multimodal imaging techniques show that aberrant frontal-striatal connections are implicated in the executive function and attentional deficits of subjects with FXS. By deciphering the molecular pathways and brain structure and function associated with cognitive deficits, we will gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of MR/DD, which will eventually make possible more specific treatments for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Gothelf
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5719, USA
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Kippenhan JS, Olsen RK, Mervis CB, Morris CA, Kohn P, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Berman KF. Genetic contributions to human gyrification: sulcal morphometry in Williams syndrome. J Neurosci 2006; 25:7840-6. [PMID: 16120786 PMCID: PMC6725255 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1722-05.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although gyral and sulcal patterns are highly heritable, and emerge in a tightly controlled sequence during development, very little is known about specific genetic contributions to abnormal gyrification or the resulting functional consequences. Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic disorder caused by hemizygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23 and characterized by abnormal brain structure and striking cognitive (impairment in visuospatial construction) and behavioral (hypersocial/anxious) phenotypes, offers a unique opportunity to study these issues. We performed a detailed analysis of sulcal depth based on geometric cortical surface representations constructed from high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans acquired from participants with WS and from healthy controls who were matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient, and compared between-group differences with those obtained from a voxel-based morphometry analysis. We found bilateral reductions in sulcal depth in the intraparietal/occipitoparietal sulcus (PS) in the brains of participants with WS, as well as in the collateral sulcus and the orbitofrontal region in the left hemisphere. The left-hemisphere PS in the WS group averaged 8.5 mm shallower than in controls. Sulcal depth findings in the PS corresponded closely to measures of reduced gray matter volume in the same area, providing evidence that the gray matter volume loss and abnormal sulcal geometry may be related. In the context of previous functional neuroimaging findings demonstrating functional alterations in the same cortical regions, our results further define the neural endophenotype underlying visuoconstructive deficits in WS, set the stage for defining the effects of specific genes, and offer insight into genetic mechanisms of cortical gyrification.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shane Kippenhan
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
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Abstract
This paper reviews a series of studies performed to assess the musical abilities and behaviors of individuals with Williams syndrome, a neurogenetic developmental disorder, in the hope of eventually being able to link genes, neurodevelopment, and cognition. Two questionnaire studies addressing the role of music in everyday life, and unusual reactions to sound, are described. Additionally, the findings from two empirical behavioral studies and a neuroimaging study are reviewed. The findings show that individuals with Williams syndrome tend to be more engaged in musical activities than others, and I report a possible neuroanatomical correlate of this engagement, with increased activation in the right amygdala to music and to noise. Williams syndrome represents a compelling model of the relationship between genes, brains, and such complex cognitive behaviors as music.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Levitin
- Department of Psychology and Program in Behavioural Science, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1B1, Canada.
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Holinger DP, Bellugi U, Mills DL, Korenberg JR, Reiss AL, Sherman GF, Galaburda AM. Relative sparing of primary auditory cortex in Williams Syndrome. Brain Res 2005; 1037:35-42. [PMID: 15777750 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Revised: 11/14/2004] [Accepted: 11/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Williams Syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopment disorder associated with a hemizygous deletion on chromosome 7. WS is characterized with mental retardation, severe visual-spatial deficits, relative language preservation, and excellent facial recognition. Distinctive auditory features include musical ability, heightened sound sensitivity, and specific patterns of auditory evoked potentials. These features have led to the hypothesis that the dorsal forebrain is more affected than the ventral. Previously, we reported primary visual area 17 abnormalities in rostral striate cortex, a region contributing to the dorsal visual pathway. Based on the dorsal-ventral hypothesis, and language and auditory findings, we predicted a more normal histometric picture in auditory area 41. We used an optical dissector method to measure neurons in layers II-VI of area 41 in right and left hemispheres of the same 3 WS and 3 control brains used in the area 17 study. There was a hemisphere by diagnosis interaction in cell packing density (CPD) in layer IV and in cell size in layer III between WS and control brains. Post hoc analysis disclosed in control brains, but not WS, a layer IV left > right asymmetry in CPD, and a layer III left < right asymmetry in cell size. WS brains showed more large neurons bilaterally in layer II and in left layer VI. Histometric alterations in area 41 were less widespread than rostral visual cortex. Also, there was less asymmetry in the WS brain. We interpret layers II and VI differences as reflecting increased limbic connectivity in primary auditory cortex of WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy P Holinger
- Division of Behavioral Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Meyer-Lindenberg A, Mervis CB, Sarpal D, Koch P, Steele S, Kohn P, Marenco S, Morris CA, Das S, Kippenhan S, Mattay VS, Weinberger DR, Berman KF. Functional, structural, and metabolic abnormalities of the hippocampal formation in Williams syndrome. J Clin Invest 2005; 115:1888-95. [PMID: 15951840 PMCID: PMC1143592 DOI: 10.1172/jci24892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2005] [Accepted: 04/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS), caused by microdeletion of some 21 genes on chromosome 7q11.23, is characterized by dysmorphic features, mental retardation or learning difficulties, elastin arteriopathy, and striking neurocognitive and social-behavioral abnormalities. Recent studies of murine knockouts of key genes in the microdeleted region, LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) and cytoplasmatic linker protein 2 (CYLN2), demonstrated significant functional and metabolic abnormalities, but grossly normal structure, in the hippocampal formation (HF). Furthermore, deficits in spatial navigation and long-term memory, major cognitive domains dependent on hippocampal function, have been described in WS. We used multimodal neuroimaging to characterize hippocampal structure, function, and metabolic integrity in 12 participants with WS and 12 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched healthy controls. PET and functional MRI studies showed profound reduction in resting blood flow and absent differential response to visual stimuli in the anterior HF in WS. Spectroscopic measures of N-acetyl aspartate, considered a marker of synaptic activity, were reduced. Hippocampal size was preserved, but subtle alterations in shape were present. These data demonstrate abnormalities in HF in WS in agreement with murine models, implicate LIMK1 and CYLN2 in human hippocampal function, and suggest that hippocampal dysfunction may contribute to neurocognitive abnormalities in WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892-1365, USA.
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Dridi SM, Foucault Bertaud A, Igondjo Tchen S, Senni K, Ejeil AL, Pellat B, Lyonnet S, Bonnet D, Charpiot P, Godeau G. Vascular Wall Remodeling in Patients with Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis and Williams Beuren Syndrome. J Vasc Res 2005; 42:190-201. [PMID: 15832055 DOI: 10.1159/000085141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2004] [Accepted: 02/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) and Williams Beuren syndrome (WBS) can be considered as inherited diseases affecting the whole arterial tree and causing narrowing of the vessels. It has been reported that abnormal deposition of elastin in arterial walls of patients with SVAS and WBS leads to increased proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), which result in the formation of hyperplastic intimal lesions. In this work, we conducted morphological and morphometrical analysis with stenotic aortas from patients suffering from SVAS and WBS and from healthy control subjects and demonstrated that the amount of elastic fibers and the loss of integrity of vascular elastic fibers in the aortas reflect similar changes in the skin of patients with SVAS or WBS, as reported in our previous work conducted on skin in these pathological states. On the other hand, we conducted investigations on metalloproteinases (MMP2, MMP9, MMP7) and their specific tissue inhibitors TIMP1 and TIMP2 to verify their possible involvement in the etiopathogeny of SVAS and WBS. We particularly evidenced an altered MMP9/TIMP1 balance in favor of matrix degradation which could facilitate SMC migration and neointimal hyperplasia. Our findings suggest that elastinolytic enzymes secreted by arterial SMC, possibly including matrilysin 1, are critical for the development of arterial lesions in SVAS and WBS and contribute to perpetuate arterial stenosis in either SVAS or WBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Dridi
- Laboratoire de Physiopathologie des Tissus non Minéralisés, Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Université René Descartes, 1 ruwe maurice Arnoux, FR-92120 Montrouge, France
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Amenta S, Sofocleous C, Kolialexi A, Thomaidis L, Giouroukos S, Karavitakis E, Mavrou A, Kitsiou S, Kanavakis E, Fryssira H. Clinical manifestations and molecular investigation of 50 patients with Williams syndrome in the Greek population. Pediatr Res 2005; 57:789-95. [PMID: 15774842 DOI: 10.1203/01.pdr.0000157675.06850.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a well-recognized neurodevelopmental disorder manifested by both connective tissue and CNS abnormalities. The study depicts the 8-y experience and follow-up of 50 Greek children with the clinical diagnosis of WS. Clinical data on the facial features and cardiovascular, endocrinologic, and neurodevelopmental evaluation are presented. The most consistent findings were dysmorphic features (100%), followed by dental anomalies (90%) and hyperacousis (90%). Only eight of 50 children had severe cardiovascular defects that required surgical intervention during the first year of life. Supravalvular aortic stenosis was less frequent (28%) than shown in the literature. Severe hypertension was noticed in 22% of our patients, and infantile hypercalcemia was noticed in 6%. Twelve percent of our patients showed an elevation of CPK. Most children presented with moderate to severe mental retardation with IQ ranging from 20 to 85. Elastin hemizygosity was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Dinucleotide repeat polymorphism analysis was performed in an attempt to correlate phenotype with genotype. The origin of deletions was more frequently maternal (59%), and a more severe phenotype seemed to be associated with those deletions. This is the first report on WS patients in the Greek population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Amenta
- Medical Genetics, Athens University School of Medicine, Greece
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