Explorative function in Prader-Willi syndrome analyzed through an ecological spatial task

Res Dev Disabil. 2015 Mar:38:97-107. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.11.022. Epub 2015 Jan 6.

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the spatial abilities in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) by using an ecological large-scale task with multiple rewards. To evaluate the extent of spatial deficit in PWS individuals, we compare their performances with those of individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS) in which the spatial deficits have been widely described. Participants had to explore an open space to search nine rewards placed in buckets arranged according to three spatial configurations: a Cross, a 3×3 Matrix and a Cluster composed by three groups of three buckets each. PWS individuals exhibited an explorative deficit in Cluster and Cross configurations, while WS participants in Matrix and Cross configurations. The findings indicate that the structural affordances of the environment influence the explorative strategies and can be related to how spatial information is processed.

Keywords: Explorative strategies; Genetic syndromes; Spatial ability; Spatial memory; Spatial task.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Cognition
  • Exploratory Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Prader-Willi Syndrome / psychology*
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Spatial Memory / physiology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Williams Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Williams Syndrome / psychology
  • Young Adult