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Open Access 01-03-2009 | Article

Visuospatial working memory in children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome; an fMRI study

Authors: Rayna Azuma, Eileen M. Daly, Linda E. Campbell, Angela F. Stevens, Quinton Deeley, Vincent Giampietro, Michael J. Brammer, Beate Glaser, Fiona Z. Ambery, Robin G. Morris, Steven C. R. Williams, Michael J. Owen, Declan G. M. Murphy, Kieran C. Murphy

Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders | Issue 1/2009

Abstract

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a genetic disorder associated with a microdeletion of chromosome 22q11. In addition to high rates of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, children with 22q11DS have a specific neuropsychological profile with particular deficits in visuospatial and working memory. However, the neurobiological substrate underlying these deficits is poorly understood. We investigated brain function during a visuospatial working memory (SWM) task in eight children with 22q11DS and 13 healthy controls, using fMRI. Both groups showed task-related activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and bilateral parietal association cortices. Controls activated parietal and occipital regions significantly more than those with 22q11DS but there was no significant between-group difference in DLPFC. In addition, while controls had a significant age-related increase in the activation of posterior brain regions and an age-related decrease in anterior regions, the 22q11DS children showed the opposite pattern. Genetically determined differences in the development of specific brain systems may underpin the cognitive deficits in 22q11DS, and may contribute to the later development of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Title: Visuospatial working memory in children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome; an fMRI study
Authors: Rayna Azuma
Eileen M. Daly
Linda E. Campbell
Angela F. Stevens
Quinton Deeley
Vincent Giampietro
Michael J. Brammer
Beate Glaser
Fiona Z. Ambery
Robin G. Morris
Steven C. R. Williams
Michael J. Owen
Declan G. M. Murphy
Kieran C. Murphy
Publication date: 01-03-2009
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1866-1947
Electronic ISSN: 1866-1955
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11689-009-9008-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Visuospatial working memory in children and adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome; an fMRI study

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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