Visual depth processing in Williams–Beuren syndrome

• Published in: Experimental brain research Vol. 166; no. 2; pp. 200 - 209
• Main Authors: Van der Geest, J. N., Lagers-van Haselen, G. C., van Hagen, J. M., Brenner, E., Govaerts, L. C. P., de Coo, I. F. M., Frens, M. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.10.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anatomical correlates of behavior; Behavioral psychophysiology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Depth Perception - physiology; Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision; Feedback; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hand; Humans; Medical research; Movement - physiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Vision, Binocular - physiology; Vision, Monocular - physiology; Williams Syndrome - physiopathology; Human; Monocular vision; Hand; Stair; Visual perception; Locomotion; Walking; Sensorimotor coordination; Williams-Beuren syndrome; Perception; Sensorimotor integration; Binocular vision; Motor coordination; Visual depth; Distance
• ISSN: 0014-4819; 1432-1106
• DOI: 10.1007/s00221-005-2355-1

Patients with Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS, also known as Williams Syndrome) show many problems in motor activities requiring visuo-motor integration, such as walking stairs. We tested to what extent these problems might be related to a deficit in the perception of visual depth or to problems in using this information in guiding movements. Monocular and binocular visual depth perception was tested in 33 patients with WBS. Furthermore, hand movements to a target were recorded in conditions with and without visual feedback of the position of the hand. The WBS group was compared to a group of control subjects. The WBS patients were able to perceive monocular depth cues that require global processing, but about 49% failed to show stereopsis. On average, patients with WBS moved their hand too far when no visual feedback on hand position was given. This was not so when they could see their hand. Patients with WBS are able to derive depth from complex spatial relationships between objects. However, they seem to be impaired in using depth information for guiding their movements when deprived of visual feedback. We conclude that the problems that WBS patients have with tasks such as descending stairs are not due to an inability to judge distance.