Neural correlates of genetically abnormal social cognition in Williams syndrome.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS), caused by a microdeletion of approximately 21 genes on chromosome 7q11.23, is characterized by unique hypersociability combined with increased non-social anxiety. Using functional neuroimaging, we found reduced amygdala activation in individuals with WBS for threatening faces but increased activation for threatening scenes, relative to matched normal controls. Activation and interactions of prefrontal regions linked to amygdala, especially orbitofrontal cortex, were abnormal, suggesting a genetically controlled neural circuitry for regulating human social behavior.

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Duke Authors

Hariri, Ahmad

Cited Authors

Meyer-Lindenberg, A; Hariri, AR; Munoz, KE; Mervis, CB; Mattay, VS; Morris, CA; Berman, KF

Published Date

August 2005

Published In

Nature Neuroscience

Volume / Issue

8 / 8

Start / End Page

991 - 993

PubMed ID

16007084

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

1546-1726

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1097-6256

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/nn1494

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