Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials in Adults with Williams Syndrome

Jacqueline A. Nascimento; Liliane A.F. Silva; Alessandra G. Samelli; Carla G. Matas

doi:10.1055/s-0044-1790280

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, Table of Contents

J Am Acad Audiol 2024; 35(01/02): 024-029
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1790280

Research Article

Long-Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials in Adults with Williams Syndrome

Authors

Jacqueline A. Nascimento

¹Department of Physical, Speech-Language-Hearing, and Occupational Therapy of the Medical School at the University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Liliane A.F. Silva

¹Department of Physical, Speech-Language-Hearing, and Occupational Therapy of the Medical School at the University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Alessandra G. Samelli

¹Department of Physical, Speech-Language-Hearing, and Occupational Therapy of the Medical School at the University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Carla G. Matas

¹Department of Physical, Speech-Language-Hearing, and Occupational Therapy of the Medical School at the University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Background Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic, multisystemic, neurodevelopmental disorder, in which studies have demonstrated the presence of auditory deficits such as conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear weakness, and subclinical signs of hearing impairment. However, few studies have assessed this population's central auditory system.

Purpose To analyze long-latency auditory evoked potential (LLAEP) in adults with WS and compare them with those obtained from neurotypical individuals with no hearing complaints.

Research Design A cross-sectional observational study with subjects who were submitted to LLAEP assessment with the oddball paradigm and tone-burst stimuli.

Study Sample A total of 30 individuals of both sexes, aged 18 to 37 years—15 had WS and comprised the study group (SG) and 15 did not have either the syndrome or hearing complaints and comprised the control group (CG); they were matched for sex and age.

Results The LLAEP analysis showed larger P1–N1 and P2–N2 amplitudes but smaller N2–P3 amplitude in SG, which also had delayed latencies in all components compared with CG.

Conclusion Adults with WS had increased neuronal response in identifying stimulus characteristics, attentional difficulties in auditory tasks, and deficits in auditory information processing speed.

Keywords

Williams syndrome - adult - hearing - hearing loss - evoked potentials - auditory

Full Text

References

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