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Brief Report: Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features in Williams Syndrome: A Case Series

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Abstract

Descriptions of individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) and co-morbid major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features have not appeared in the literature. In addition to reviewing previous reports of psychotic symptoms in persons with WS, this paper introduces clinical histories and therapeutic management strategies for three previously unreported adults with WS diagnosed with co-morbid MDD with psychotic features. Co-morbid medical disorders common in WS are highlighted with regard to safe and appropriate pharmacological treatment. The importance of assessment for co-morbid MDD with psychotic features in individuals with WS is emphasized.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Francisca Valdes

  2. Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421-3114, USA

    Christopher J. Keary, Jennifer E. Mullett, Michelle L. Palumbo & Christopher J. McDougle

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Jessica L. Waxler & Barbara R. Pober

  4. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Christopher J. Keary, Michelle L. Palumbo, Barbara R. Pober & Christopher J. McDougle

Authors
  1. Francisca Valdes
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  2. Christopher J. Keary
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  3. Jennifer E. Mullett
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  4. Michelle L. Palumbo
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  5. Jessica L. Waxler
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  6. Barbara R. Pober
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  7. Christopher J. McDougle
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Contributions

FV made substantial contributions to the conceptualization and design, acquisition of data, and drafting of the manuscript. CK made substantial contributions to analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. JM made substantial contributions to the acquisition of data and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. JW made substantial contributions to the analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. MP made substantial contributions to the analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. BP made substantial contributions to the analysis and interpretation of the data and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. CM made substantial contributions to the conceptualization and design, acquisition of data, drafting of the manuscript, and revising the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. Each author gave final approval of the version of the manuscript to be published.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher J. McDougle.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Valdes, F., Keary, C.J., Mullett, J.E. et al. Brief Report: Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features in Williams Syndrome: A Case Series. J Autism Dev Disord 48, 947–952 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3384-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3384-x

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