ERIC Number: EJ787457
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0278-2626
EISSN: N/A
Memory Abilities in Williams Syndrome: Dissociation or Developmental Delay Hypothesis?
Sampaio, Adriana; Sousa, Nuno; Fernandez, Montse; Henriques, Margarida; Goncalves, Oscar F.
Brain and Cognition, v66 n3 p290-297 Apr 2008
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder often described as being characterized by a dissociative cognitive architecture, in which profound impairments of visuo-spatial cognition contrast with relative preservation of linguistic, face recognition and auditory short-memory abilities. This asymmetric and dissociative cognition has been also proposed to characterize WS memory ability, with sparing of auditory short-term memory and impairment of spatial and long-term memory abilities. In this study, we explored the possibility of a double memory dissociation in WS (short- versus long-term memory; verbal versus visual memory). Thus, verbal memory abilities were assessed using California Verbal Learning Test and Digit Span and Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure and Corsi Blocks was used to assess visual-spatial memory abilities. Overall, WS subjects were found to present a generalized significant impairment in verbal and visuo-spatial components either in short- or long-term memory. In sum, data from this study brings support for a developmental delay hypothesis, rather than a double dissociation within memory systems in WS.
Descriptors: Verbal Learning, Short Term Memory, Long Term Memory, Developmental Delays, Genetics, Disabilities, Neurological Impairments, Spatial Ability, Visual Perception, Cognitive Processes, Auditory Perception, Verbal Stimuli
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Digit Span Test; California Verbal Learning Test for Children; Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Test
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A