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Sex differences in cognitive functioning in velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS)
Kevin M Antshel1, Nuria AbdulSabur, Nancy Roizen
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York-Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA. antshelk@upstate.edu
Developmental Neuropsychology
|November 4, 2005
Summary
Boys with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS) may experience greater cognitive deficits than girls. Cognitive function in girls with VCFS declines with age, unlike in boys, potentially impacting their cognitive advantage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), a genetic disorder from a 22q.11 microdeletion, affects cognitive development.
- Sex differences in cognitive abilities are well-documented in the general population.
- Understanding these differences in VCFS is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in cognitive functioning among children with VCFS.
- To explore the relationship between age and cognitive performance in relation to sex within the VCFS population.
- To examine sex differences in frontal lobe volume in VCFS.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of six groups: boys/girls with VCFS, their siblings, and community controls.
- Psychological assessments measuring intellectual and academic achievement.
- Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess brain volume, specifically the frontal lobe.
Main Results:
- Boys with VCFS demonstrated potentially greater cognitive impairment compared to girls.
- A negative association between age and cognitive functioning was observed in girls with VCFS, but not in boys.
- Sex differences in frontal lobe volume (boys > girls) were consistent across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive outcomes in VCFS appear to be sex-dependent, with boys potentially more affected.
- The cognitive trajectory for girls with VCFS may involve age-related decline, potentially eroding initial advantages.
- Frontal lobe volume differences align with general population trends, but their functional implications in VCFS warrant further study.