Gene Linked to Separation Anxiety

http://news.yahoo.com/gene-linked-separation-anxiety-170412915.html

Scientists who identified a gene linked to separation anxiety say their finding could lead to more targeted treatments for anxiety disorders.

The researchers assessed separation anxiety in children with two rare genetic disorders called 7q11.23 duplication syndrome (Dup7q11.23) and Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS).

Dup7q11.23 is a developmental disorder characterized by social anxiety and specific phobias. It's caused by extra copies of 26 genes on chromosome seven, including the GTF2I gene. Children with Williams-Beuren syndrome, which is caused by a deletion of 7q11.23, have cognitive deficits but are highly social and don't have social anxieties. GTF2I is typically one of the genes deleted in children with Williams-Beuren syndrome.