Memory profiles in individuals with mental retardation due to genetic causes.

In recent years there has been a marked increase in interest in genetic syndromes. Many studies were conducted from genetic, biological, medical, neuropsychological, and psychological perspective. Those studies highlighted a relationship between genotype and phenotype, not only for physical and medical characteristics but also for cognitive and behavioural aspects. Moreover for many syndromes were identified cognitive strength and weakness and particular behaviour patterns. In this research area we chose to focus our attention on memory, a very important area in cognitive functioning, that has a critical role in every day life and in academic achievement abilities as reading, writing, arithmetic, learning, language processing. In the present work, after an introduction about genetic syndromes and the relationship gene-brain-behaviour, we will concentrate on findings in research on memory performances in some of more frequent genetic syndromes associated with mental retardation or learning disorder, as Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Prader Willi syndrome. In coherence with research carried out in this field we will consider different memory components, as short term memory, working memory, verbal memory, visuo-spatial memory, long term memory, implicit and explicit memory. The experimental data described in our review suggest that in individual with mental retardation due to genetic causes there is a deficit in most of memory components, but deficit quality and dimension in every single aspect are different and linked to the genetic syndrome.