Differences in age-related effects on brain volume in Down syndrome as compared to Williams syndrome and typical development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals with Down Syndrome (DS) are reported to experience early onset of brain aging. However, it is not well understood how pre-existing neurodevelopmental effects versus neurodegenerative processes might be contributing to the observed pattern of brain atrophy in younger adults with DS. The aims of the current study were to: (1) to confirm previous findings of age-related changes in DS compared to adults with typical development (TD), (2) to test for an effect of these age-related changes in a second neurodevelopmental disorder, Williams syndrome (WS), and (3) to identify a pattern of regional age-related effects that are unique to DS.

Methods

High-resolution T1-weighted MRI of the brains of subjects with DS, WS, and TD controls were segmented, and estimate

SUBMITTER: Koran ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4022321 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature