Which genetic syndrome is characterized by abnormal neural pathways with increased amygdala activation to threat, visuospatial deficits, and delayed first words?

Prepare for the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes insights and explanations to help you excel. Get ready for your certification journey!

Williams syndrome fits this profile. It results from a deletion on chromosome 7q11.23 and is associated with distinctive neural development that includes altered connectivity and heightened amygdala reactivity to threat-related social cues, contributing to the characteristic hypersociability and anxiety. Cognitively, individuals show pronounced visuospatial deficits, reflecting dorsal stream impairment, while language can be relatively spared or even rapid, although early language milestones like first words can be delayed. This combination—amygdala hyperreactivity to threat, strong language relative to visuospatial skills, and delayed early speech—aligns with Williams syndrome. The other conditions have different neural and cognitive signatures that don’t coherently match this pattern.