Williams syndrome (WS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by mild to moderate mental retardation (MR), a distinctive personality profile, an unusual cognitive profile, infantile hypercalcemia, dysmorphic facial features, and supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS). Our research has demonstrated that WS is a contiguous gene disorder resulting from submicroscopic deletions of chromosome 7ql 1.23 including deletion of the elastin gene (causing SVAS, connective tissue abnormalities, and some facial features of WS), the LIM-kinase 1 gene (contributing to the visuospatial constructive cognitive difficulties of WS), and the GTF21 gene (implicated in the reduced general intellectual ability in WS). In addition, we have identified a region of the WS deletion that is likely to include gene(s) that contribute to the WS personality profile. The overall goal of the proposed research is to create a medical and behavioral profile for WS that will then be used to examine genotype/phenotype correlations. We have three specific aims: 1) Ascertain and phenotypically characterize individuals who have WS and individuals who have features that overlap with WS. 2) Identify and characterize the cardinal features of the phenotype of classic WS. The medical phenotype will be characterized based on dysmorphology examination, review of medical records, and echocardiographic analysis. The neurobehavioral phenotype will be characterized based on psychological tests designed to measure general intelligence, including strengths and weaknesses in particular aspects of cognition;specific tests of language, memory, and visuospatial abilities;and measures of personality, temperament, and adaptive behavior. 3) Identify genes responsible for specific phenotypic features of WS. Genetic analysis will include defining atypical deletion breakpoints, screening genes in the region for mutations in specific populations (e.g.,GTF21 mutations in nonspecific MR), determining parent of origin and inversion status to investigate the roles of these variables on the phenotype, and testing of candidate genes for involvement in the pathogenesis and phenotypic variability of particular WS features. We expect to identify genes involved in WS personality characteristics and hypercalcemia and to characterize genetic modifying factors. The long term objective is to provide a better understanding of mechanisms underlying cognitive and personality development. The findings will be of immediate use to practitioners who provide educational and therapeutic services to individuals with WS and their families.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS035102-15
Application #
7689766
Study Section
Child Psychopathology and Developmental Disabilities Study Section (CPDD)
Program Officer
Mamounas, Laura
Project Start
1996-05-17
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
15
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$1,317,702
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Louisville
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
057588857
City
Louisville
State
KY
Country
United States
Zip Code
40292
Klein-Tasman, Bonita P; van der Fluit, Faye; Mervis, Carolyn B (2018) Autism Spectrum Symptomatology in Children with Williams Syndrome Who Have Phrase Speech or Fluent Language. J Autism Dev Disord 48:3037-3050
Gregory, Michael D; Kolachana, Bhaskar; Yao, Yin et al. (2018) A method for determining haploid and triploid genotypes and their association with vascular phenotypes in Williams syndrome and 7q11.23 duplication syndrome. BMC Med Genet 19:53
Klein-Tasman, Bonita P; Mervis, Carolyn B (2018) Autism Spectrum Symptomatology Among Children with Duplication 7q11.23 Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 48:1982-1994
Pérez-García, Débora; Brun-Gasca, Carme; Pérez-Jurado, Luis A et al. (2017) Behavioral Profiles of Children With Williams Syndrome From Spain and the United States: Cross-Cultural Similarities and Differences. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 122:156-172
Pitts, C H; Klein-Tasman, B P; Osborne, J W et al. (2016) Predictors of specific phobia in children with Williams syndrome. J Intellect Disabil Res 60:1031-42
Pitts, C Holley; Mervis, Carolyn B (2016) Performance on the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 by Children With Williams Syndrome. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil 121:33-47
Mervis, Carolyn B; Klein-Tasman, Bonita P; Huffman, Myra J et al. (2015) Children with 7q11.23 duplication syndrome: psychological characteristics. Am J Med Genet A 167:1436-50
Strong, Emma; Butcher, Darci T; Singhania, Rajat et al. (2015) Symmetrical Dose-Dependent DNA-Methylation Profiles in Children with Deletion or Duplication of 7q11.23. Am J Hum Genet 97:216-27
Morris, Colleen A; Mervis, Carolyn B; Paciorkowski, Alex P et al. (2015) 7q11.23 Duplication syndrome: Physical characteristics and natural history. Am J Med Genet A 167A:2916-35
Mervis, Carolyn B; Pitts, C Holley (2015) Children with Williams syndrome: Developmental trajectories for intellectual abilities, vocabulary abilities, and adaptive behavior. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet 169:158-71

Showing the most recent 10 out of 75 publications