Callosal morphology in Williams syndrome: a new evaluation of shape and thickness

Abstract

We applied novel mesh-based geometrical modeling methods to calculate and compare the thickness of the corpus callosum at high spatial resolution and to create profiles of average callosal shape in a well-matched sample (n=24) of individuals with Williams syndrome and controls. In close agreement with previous observations, superimposed surface maps indicate that the corpus callosum in Williams syndrome individuals is shorter and less curved. Moreover, we observed significantly thinner callosal regions in Williams syndrome individuals across the posterior surface, where group effects were less pronounced and spatially restricted in brain-size-adjusted data compared with native data. Circumscribed structural alterations in callosal morphology might be candidate anatomic substrates for the unique cognitive and behavioral profile associated with Williams syndrome.