‘Sensitivity gene’ predicts whether anxious children will benefit from CBT

A genetic marker, called Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5HTPP), can be used to predict whether a child suffering from anxiety disorder will benefit from cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).

This is the first time that genetic analysis has been used to assess whether a psychological treatment like CBT will work for children.

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental health disorder in children. They include obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, separation anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder and affect approximately 10 per cent of young people.