Altered functional brain networks in Prader-Willi syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder causing hyperphagia and obesity.
• Previous studies used visual stimuli to explore eating-related neural circuitry in PWS.
• PWS patients exhibit persistent hunger and overeating, independent of food cues.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate altered brain networks in children with PWS using resting-state functional MRI.
• Identify specific brain regions with abnormal resting-state activity in PWS patients compared to controls.
• Characterize functional connectivity (FC) interactions within these identified brain regions.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) was employed in children with PWS and sibling controls.
• Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation analysis identified regions of interest (ROIs) with altered activity.
• Functional connectivity (FC) analysis examined interactions between ROIs.

Main Results:

• Decreased FC strength was observed in default mode, motor sensory, and prefrontal cortex networks.
• Specific regions showing decreased FC include MPFC/IPL, MPFC/precuneus, IPL/precuneus, IPL/hippocampus, pre-/postcentral gyri, and DLPFC/OFC.
• Increased FC strength was found in the core and prefrontal cortex networks, involving ACC/insula, VLPFC/OFC, and DLPFC/VLPFC.

Conclusions:

• Resting-state fMRI reveals significant alterations in brain network connectivity in PWS.
• These FC changes implicate brain regions involved in eating and reward processing.
• PWS serves as a valuable model for studying obesity and identifying potential therapeutic targets for overeating.