Williams Syndrome — Research Summary
Printed from RareWays (rareways.com.au) on 26 July 2026
For general awareness only. Not medical advice. Discuss all care options with your healthcare team.
5 Most Recent Research Articles
- 1.
Effectiveness and Safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Individuals with Williams Syndrome.
Snapir Liron et al. — Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology (1 August 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42130028/
- 2.
Inhibition in individuals with Williams syndrome and neurotypical children.
van Jaarsveldt Imogen E M et al. — Cortex; a journal devoted to the study of the nervous system and behavior (1 July 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42066684/
- 3.
Eating Disorder Screening in Adults With Williams Syndrome: A Preliminary Report.
Dunford Ashley et al. — The International journal of eating disorders (1 July 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41878794/
- 4.
In-depth profile analysis and developmental trends in Wechsler performance among individuals with Williams syndrome.
Farmer Cristan et al. — Child neuropsychology : a journal on normal and abnormal development in childhood and adolescence (1 July 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41431786/
- 5.
Repetitive Behaviours in Williams Syndrome: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between the United Kingdom and Japan.
Hirai Masahiro et al. — Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR (28 June 2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42366616/
Clinical Trials — Currently Recruiting (Australia)
Ask your doctor whether you or your child may be eligible for any of these trials.
- 1.
Rare Disease Patient Registry & Natural History Study - Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford
Recruiting — Sanford Health
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01793168
Source: RareWays research directory. Data from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Always verify information with your healthcare team before making any decisions about your care.
Williams Syndrome
Williams syndrome is caused by a deletion of approximately 25 genes on chromosome 7, including the elastin gene. It causes supravalvular aortic stenosis, intellectual disability, a distinctive personality with strong language skills but poor visuospatial ability, and characteristic facial features. Cardiovascular monitoring is lifelong.
Most Recent Research
OBJECTIVE: Anxiety and depressive disorders are common in individuals with Williams syndrome (WS), yet data regarding pharmacologic treatment in this population are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in individuals with WS treated for anxiety and/or depressive disorders. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of WS treated with SSRIs between 2010 and 2025 at a clinic for individuals with WS. Fourteen children and adults (5 males and 9 females; mean age: 23.2 ± 11.9 years) met inclusion criteria, contributing 16 distinct SSRI treatment trials. Illness severity was assessed using the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) scale at baseline and last follow-up and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scale. RESULTS: The CGI-S score decreased significantly from 4.62 ± 0.81 at baseline to 3.06 ± 1.12 at last follow-up (t(15) = 3.83, p = 0.002). Nine of 16 trials (56.2%) were rated as much or very much improved (CGI-I = 1 or 2). The mean duration of SSRI treatment was 3.95 ± 3.91 years (range: 0.75-16). Adverse events were documented in two trials (12.5%), and no treatment discontinuations due to adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: SSRI treatment was effective and well tolerated in individuals with WS. Prospective controlled studies are required.
Common Questions
What is Williams Syndrome?
Williams syndrome is caused by a deletion of approximately 25 genes on chromosome 7, including the elastin gene. It causes supravalvular aortic stenosis, intellectual disability, a distinctive personality with strong language skills but poor visuospatial ability, and characteristic facial features. Cardiovascular monitoring is lifelong.
How many clinical trials are available for Williams Syndrome?
RareWays currently indexes 26 clinical trials for Williams Syndrome, of which 8 are actively recruiting. Trial availability changes as new studies are registered — check the trials tab for current status.
Where does the research data for Williams Syndrome come from?
RareWays aggregates research from PubMed, Europe PMC, OpenAlex, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Data is updated regularly by Rocky, RareWays' automated research engine. All articles and trials link directly to their original sources.
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This information is for general awareness only.
For guidance specific to your situation, please speak with your healthcare team.