The overarching goal of this program project is to build bridges across disciplines, linking higher cognitive functions to their underlying neurobiological bases and their molecular genetic underpinnings using a specific genetic disorder, Williams syndrome (WS). To accomplish this goal, the program combines cognitive, electrophysiological, structural and functional imaging, histological, with molecular genetic approaches to study groups of individuals with WS. The findings of peaks and valleys of abilities in WS, including mild to moderate mental retardation in the context of a specific deficit in visuospatial processing, relative strengths in face processing and certain aspects of language, in addition to hypersociability. This unique profile makes WS an invaluable paradigm for the study of brain and behavior relationships, and for mapping to the genome. Program project: Project II, Neurophysiological Imaging characterizes the electrophysiological signature of the WS brain during sensory and cognitive processing. Project III: Functional Neuroimaging, uses multifaceted imaging techniques (high field-structural, functional, and diffusion tensor imaging) to identify neural pathways involved in WS cognition. Project IV. Molecular and Cellular Architectonics, explores histological and gene expression differences within brain areas associated with the cognitive profile of WS. Project I: Neurocognitive Characterization, will examine cognitive processing mechanisms and map sources of cognitive variability to neural pathways and variations in genetic expression. Studies from each project work interactively using integrated approaches to test hypotheses related to dorsoventral and posterior/anterior gradients in brain development, as well as changes within limbic system pathways as they relate to cognition and behavior. Together, these studies provide new opportunities for illuminating pathways among specific genes, neural systems, and cognitive functions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
3P01HD033113-13S1
Application #
7932384
Study Section
Pediatrics Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Oster-Granite, Mary Lou
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2011-02-28
Budget Start
2009-09-30
Budget End
2011-02-28
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$142,050
Indirect Cost
Name
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Department
Type
DUNS #
078731668
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92037
Chailangkarn, Thanathom; Noree, Chalongrat; Muotri, Alysson R (2018) The contribution of GTF2I haploinsufficiency to Williams syndrome. Mol Cell Probes 40:45-51
Ng, Rowena; Lai, Philip; Brown, Timothy T et al. (2018) Neuroanatomical correlates of emotion-processing in children with unilateral brain lesion: A preliminary study of limbic system organization. Soc Neurosci 13:688-700
Griesi-Oliveira, Karina; Suzuki, Angela May; Muotri, Alysson Renato (2017) TRPC Channels and Mental Disorders. Adv Exp Med Biol 976:137-148
Herai, Roberto H; Negraes, Priscilla D; Muotri, Alysson R (2017) Evidence of nuclei-encoded spliceosome mediating splicing of mitochondrial RNA. Hum Mol Genet 26:2472-2479
Ng, Rowena; Brown, Timothy T; Järvinen, Anna M et al. (2016) Structural integrity of the limbic-prefrontal connection: Neuropathological correlates of anxiety in Williams syndrome. Soc Neurosci 11:187-92
Ng, Rowena; Brown, Timothy T; Erhart, Matthew et al. (2016) Morphological differences in the mirror neuron system in Williams syndrome. Soc Neurosci 11:277-88
Green, Tamar; Fierro, Kyle C; Raman, Mira M et al. (2016) Surface-based morphometry reveals distinct cortical thickness and surface area profiles in Williams syndrome. Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet 171B:402-13
Järvinen, Anna; Ng, Rowena; Crivelli, Davide et al. (2015) Relations between social-perceptual ability in multi- and unisensory contexts, autonomic reactivity, and social functioning in individuals with Williams syndrome. Neuropsychologia 73:127-40
Järvinen, Anna; Ng, Rowena; Bellugi, Ursula (2015) Autonomic response to approachability characteristics, approach behavior, and social functioning in Williams syndrome. Neuropsychologia 78:159-70
Ng, Rowena; Fishman, Inna; Bellugi, Ursula (2015) Frontal asymmetry index in Williams syndrome: Evidence for altered emotional brain circuitry? Soc Neurosci 10:366-75

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