Copy-number variants may predispose anxiety disorders

Copy number variations in the genome can be studied with the advent of microarray technology, and have been linked to many disorders including autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.¹ This analysis studied known copy-number variations linked with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders (ND-CNVs) and found that people with ND-CNVs were at a higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric conditions, including anxiety disorders.¹ The authors recommend that children with ND-CNVs should be given special clinical attention for a range of cognitive and behavioural impairments.¹

Reference:

1. Chawner SJRA, Owen MJ, Holmans P, et al. Genotype-phenotype associations in children with copy number variants associated with high neuropsychiatric risk in the UK (IMAGINE-ID): a case-control cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6 (6): 493–505.