Development of Novel Psychological Assessment Tools and Anxiety Intervention for Phenylketonuria

A sample of 30 adolescents (age 10-17) with PKU and a history of elevated anxiety and/or depression symptomatology will be recruited to participate in a randomized control trial. Following screening and informed consent, participants will be randomized to an immediate intervention group (n=15) or wait-list/delayed intervention group (n=15). Participants will receive the 10-week Show Me First program for treatment of anxiety and depression. Participants will complete extensive psychological and neurocognitive evaluations at three timepoints: Weeks 0, 11, and 22. The assessments and intervention will all be administered remotely via secure videoconference and cell-phone based applications.

Inclusion criteria

• Youth 10-17 years old and at least one parent/guardian
• Formal diagnosis of PKU (as confirmed/reported by caregiver): identified by newborn screening with PKU as evidenced by a blood Phe level ≥ 360μmol/L; received treatment within the first 30 days of life.
• Interest in receiving a brief, psychotherapeutic skills program to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, according to parent- and youth-report
• Located in Missouri, Kansas, or Illinois.

Exclusion criteria

• Have significant intellectual disability (IQ<70) or significant expressive or receptive language that would interfere with psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report
• Plans to receive non-study psychotherapy during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
• Plans to change current psychoactive or PKU-related medication during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
• Have active suicidal ideation that would necessitate immediate treatment or require higher level of care than brief psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report