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Affective psychosis and Prader-Willi syndrome
A Beardsmore1, T Dorman, S A Cooper
1Leicestershire Higher Training Scheme, Leicester General Hospital, UK.
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR
|February 25, 1999
Summary
Adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) show high rates of affective disorders, often with psychotic symptoms. This study investigated PWS psychopathology, finding common behavioral issues but no generalized anxiety or phobic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Background:
- Maladaptive behaviors are prevalent in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS).
- Psychosis has been reported in adults with PWS, necessitating further investigation into its psychopathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To understand the psychopathology of psychosis in Prader-Willi syndrome.
- To compare psychiatric disorder prevalence in PWS adults with a general intellectual disability population.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive psychiatric assessments (PPS-LD) and behavioral measures (AAMR-ABS) were administered to 23 adults with PWS.
- Prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders were compared against a previous epidemiological study of adults with intellectual disability.
Main Results:
- The PWS group exhibited higher rates of affective disorders (17.4%), frequently including psychotic symptoms.
- Schizophrenia/delusional disorders (4.3%) were similar to the comparison group; behavior disorders were common.
- Surprisingly, no PWS participants presented with generalized anxiety or phobic disorders.
Conclusions:
- High rates of affective disorders in PWS are clinically significant for treatment and academically relevant for understanding the genetics of psychiatric disorders.
- The specific diagnostic criteria for psychotic episodes in PWS require further exploration.