Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion of 26-28 contiguous genes that affects the brain and cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated whether WBS affects aortic structure and function in the complete deletion (CD) mouse model harbouring the most common deletion found in WBS patients. Thoracic aortas from 3-4 months-old male CD mice and wild-type littermates were mounted in wire myographs or were processed for histomorphometrical analysis. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and oxidative stress levels were assessed. Ascending aortas from young adult CD mice showed moderate (50%) luminal stenosis, whereas endothelial function and oxidative stress were comparable to wild-type. CD mice showed greater contractions to KCl. However, α1-adrenergic contractions to phenylephrine, but not with a thromboxane analogue, were compromised. Decreased phenylephrine responses were not affected by selective inducible NOS blockade with 1400 W, but were prevented by the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME and the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor SMTC. Consistently, CD mice showed increased neuronal NOS expression in aortas. Overall, aortic stenosis in CD mice coexists with excessive nNOS-derived NO signaling that compromises ascending aorta α1-adrenergic contractions. We suggest that increased neuronal NOS signaling may act as a physiological 'brake' against the detrimental effects of stenosis. Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) [OMIM 194050] is a rare congenital multisystem disorder caused by a recurrent heterozygous deletion of 26-28 contiguous genes on chromosome band 7q11.23 1. This syndrome affects males and females equally with a prevalence that is estimated to range between 1/7,500 and 1/10,000 2. Mainly due to elastin (ELN) haploinsufficiency, this condition is commonly characterized by cardiovascular alterations that can occur early in life 3 , can evolve into potentially serious complications, and are the main cause of death in WBS patients 1,4. Supravalvular aortic stenosis is the most frequent cardiovascular anomaly, affecting approximately 70% of patients 1,5 , and it is a potentially life-threatening condition 6,7. Surgery may be required and drug treatments for this disorder and other cardiovascular manifestations in WBS generally not differ from that in the general population 8. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms of aortic disease in WBS is needed to define more safe and effective personalized therapies. Mouse models of elastin deficiency have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms responsible for the development of aortic anomalies in WBS. Thus, partial rescue of Eln −/− by transgenic expression of human ELN 9,10 is sufficient to cause a similar aortic phenotype to typical WBS patients 11-15. However, there is increasing evidence that other genes besides Eln may be relevant in modulating the WBS cardiovascular phenotype. Various