Unraveling the developmental neurobiology of PWS: a cross-sectional brain-imaging study (year 2)

Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare disorder, sharing common genes with autism and schizophrenia; patients with PWS are at a high risk of developing psychiatric illnesses and behavioral problems, however, the underlying neurobiology that places them at-risk is yet unknown. Here we propose a cross-sectional, multi-faceted brain imaging study in 50 children  with PWS and 50 age- and gender matched healthy controls (6-25 years old). The aim of this study is to investigate the structural and functional differences between children with PWS and healthy controls, and within the PWS group between children carrying a deletion and those with maternal uniparental disomy. Further, we will investigate the  characteristics between prepubertal and adolescent age groups and identify within the PWS group at which age largest deviations possibly take place. The results of the proposed project will shed insights of neurobiology underlying PWS, and will hopefully reveal biomarkers for early intervention and contribute to improving quality of life of the patients as well as their caregivers.

Research Outcomes:

A research blog post taking a closer at one of the publications from this project on how "Brain imaging shows structural differences between the PWS vs. non-PWS brain." can be found here.

Aberrant White Matter Microstructure in Children and Adolescents With the Subtype of Prader–Willi Syndrome at High Risk for Psychosis. Lukoshe A, van den Bosch GR, van der Lugt A, Kushner SA, Hokken-Koelega A, White T. Schizophr Bull. 2017 Sep 1;43(5):1090-1099. 

 

Altered functional resting-state hypothalamic connectivity and abnormal pituitary morphology in children with Prader-Willi syndrome. Lukoshe A, van Dijk SE, van den Bosch GE, van der Lugt A, White T, Hokken-Koelega AC. Journal of Neurodevelopmental  Disorders. 2017 Feb 21;9:12.

 

Reduced cortical complexity in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome and its association with cognitive impairment and developmental delay. Lukoshe A, Hokken-Koelega AC, van der Lugt A, White T. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 16;9(9):e107320.

 

Divergent structural brain abnormalities between different genetic subtypes of children with Prader-Willi syndrome. Lukoshe A, White T, Schmidt MN, van der Lugt A, Hokken-Koelega AC.  Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. 22;5(1):31, 2013.