Molecular Characterization of Patients Affected by Williams Syndrome and Autism.
Williams Beuren SyndromeAutism Spectrum DisorderWilliams Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a multiple malformations/intellectual disability (ID) syndrome caused by 7q11.23 microdeletion and clinically characterized by a typical neurocognitive profile including excessive talkativeness and social disinhibition, often defined as "overfriendliness" and "hypersociability". WBS is generally considered as the polar opposite phenotype to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Surprisingly, the prevalence of ASD has been reported to be significantly higher in WBS (12%) than in general population (1%). This study aims to investigate the molecular basis of the peculiar association of ASD and WBS. The investigator performed chromosomal microarray analysis and whole exome sequencing in six patients presenting with WBS and ASD, in order to evaluate the possible presence of chromosomal or gene variants considered as pathogenic.
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy of Anxiety in Williams Syndrome
Williams SyndromeAnxietyPatients with Williams-Beuren syndrome are eight times more likely to suffer from anxiety compared to the general population. Few therapeutic solutions are proposed to these patients. The objective of this research is to validate a cognitive and behavioral therapy anxiety protocol for patients with this syndrome.