Abstract Details

Title Physiological and Psychological Anxiety in Adults with Williams Syndrome, Developmental Delay, and Typical Development

Topic Behavioral Neurology

Presentation(s) P05 - (-)

Poster/Presentation
Number 128

Objective

Background BACKGROUND: Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare disorder defined by the genetic microdeletion on chromosome 7. The syndrome is associated with an unusual social phenotype, characterized by social disinhibition, bold interpersonal tendencies, and greater displays of prosocial, empathic behaviors. Interestingly, the social fearlessness demonstrated in WS is coupled with highly anxiety, previously reported as a type of non-social, psychological fear. However, relatively less researched in WS is the role their physiological abnormalities (e.g., increased heart rate, gastrointestinal symptoms) have on their psychiatric behaviors. In the current study, we examined the extent their physiological condition factors in their overall anxiety profile. As such, we can further tease apart anxiety contributed by their medical and mental health.

Design/Methods DESIGN/METHODS: In the current study, we examined anxiety in adults with WS (N=74), Typical Development (TD; N=84), and Developmental Delay with no specific medical etiology (DD; N=14) with two inventories (Brief Symptom Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory). Specifically, these questionnaires were applied to examine questions related to phobic and situational anxiety, general anxiety, and physiological manifestations of anxiety.

Results RESULTS: Results suggest WS and DD individuals demonstrate significantly more intense physiological anxieties above that of TD controls. However, those with WS exhibit increased general anxiety such as fear and worry, and more frequent phobic anxieties related to situational encounters. Overall, findings suggest that anxiety in WS may stem from neurophysiological dysfunction in conjunction with situation-specific fears.

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS: Psychological anxiety demonstrated by WS is significantly augmented by their abnormal physiological responsivity and sensitivity. In brief, the genetic deletion associated with WS triggers a developmental cascade of atypical social, emotional and biological functioning that may cumulatively impact their mental and medical health.

Authors/Disclosures
Rowena Ng PRESENTER	No disclosure on file
Ursula Bellugi	No disclosure on file
Steven Levine, MD, FAHA (SUNY Downstate Medical Center)	Dr. Levine has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for MEDLINK. Dr. Levine has received personal compensation in the range of $50,000-$99,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Law Firms. The institution of Dr. Levine has received research support from NIH.

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