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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

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


Publication History

Received: 26 July 2023

Accepted: 14 November 2023

Article published online:
28 November 2024

© 2024. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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