Williams Syndrome Removes Racial Bias
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to problems with development. Williams syndrome is a rare condition caused by missing genes. According to a new study that people with Williams Syndrome tend to be inordinately friendly, and experience no social anxiety. They are free of racial bias.
The new study is published this week in Current Biology.
Abstract of the study:
The earlier version of the Preschool Racial Attitude Measure (PRAM I) has been found to be a useful measure in attitude development and modification studies of young children. This paper describes the lengthened and otherwise revised version of this procedure—PRAM II. Standardization data are reported for 252 Caucasian and 140 Negro children, ranging in age from 37 to 85 months (mean = 64 months), who were tested by Caucasian and Negro examiners. Analyses of the racial attitude scores revealed that the measure had good internal consistency (r = .80), and satisfactory test-retest reliability (r = .55, over a one-year interval). It was demonstrated that the test may be divided into two equivalent short-forms, for test-retest purposes. Other findings were that the racial attitude scores were found to vary systematically with race of subject, but not with sex of subject, IQ, or age. Evidence regarding race of examiner effects was inconclusive. It was concluded that PRAM II provides a reliable index of racial attitudes, and that the same rationale could be employed in the assessment of other attitudes at the preschool level. Theories of racial attitude development are discussed.
Williams Syndrome Signs include:
* Blood vessel narrowing including supravalvular aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, and pulmonary artery stenosis
* Farsightedness
* High blood calcium level (hypercalcemia) that may cause seizures and rigid muscles
* High blood pressure
* Slack joints that may change to stiffness as patient gets older
* Unusual pattern (“stellate” or star-like) in iris of the eye
Tests for Williams syndrome:
* Blood pressure check
* Blood test for missing chromosome (FISH test)
* Echocardiography combined with Doppler ultrasound
* Kidney ultrasound
There is no cure for Williams syndrome. Avoid taking extra calcium and vitamin D. Treat high levels of blood calcium, if present. Blood vessel narrowing can be a significant health problem and is treated based on its severity.
Physical therapy is helpful to patients with joint stiffness. Developmental and speech therapy can also help these children (for example, verbal strengths can help make up for other weaknesses). Other treatments are based on a patient’s symptoms.
It can help to have treatment coordinated by a geneticist who is experienced with Williams syndrome.
Source: www.nlm.nih.gov.