Neurocognitive findings in Prader-Willi syndrome and early-onset morbid obesity
Jennifer Miller1, John Kranzler, Yijun Liu
1Department of Pediatrics and the Center for Mammalian Genetics, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0296, USA.
Objectives:
To examine whether early-onset morbid obesity is associated with cognitive impairment, neuropathologic changes, and behavioral problems.
Study Design:
This case-control study compared head MRI scans and cognitive, achievement, and behavioral evaluations of subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), early-onset morbid obesity (EMO), and normal-weight sibling control subjects from both groups. Head MRI was done on 17 PWS, 18 EMO, and 21 siblings, and cognitive, achievement, and behavioral evaluations were done on 19 PWS, 17 EMO, and 24 siblings.
Results:
The mean General Intellectual Ability score of the EMO group was 77.4 +/- 17.8; PWS, 63.3 +/- 14.2; and control subjects, 106.4 +/- 13.0. Achievement scores for the three groups were EMO, 78.7 +/- 18.8; PWS, 71.2 +/- 17.0; and control subjects, 104.8 +/- 17.0. Significant negative behaviors and poor adaptive skills were found in the EMO group. White matter lesions were noted on brain MRI in 6 subjects with PWS and 5 with EMO. None of the normal-weight control subjects had these findings.
Conclusions:
Individuals with EMO have significantly lower cognitive function and more behavioral problems than control subjects with no history of childhood obesity. Both EMO and PWS subjects have white matter lesions on brain MRI that have not previously been described.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:21Huntington Disease l: Introduction
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology