Brain developmental abnormalities in Prader-Willi syndrome detected by diffusion tensor imaging.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this work was to detect brain developmental abnormalities in Prader-Willi syndrome by using diffusion tensor imaging based on a high-field MRI system.

METHODS:
Eight patients with Prader-Willi syndrome and 8 age- and gender-matched normal control subjects were examined using a high-field (3.0 T) MRI system. Trace value and fractional anisotropy were assessed simultaneously in multiple representative brain regions:
the deep gray matter (putamen, caudate head, and dorsomedial thalamus) and the white matter structures (frontal and parietal white matter, posterior limb of internal capsule, and corpus callosum).

RESULTS:
In Prader-Willi syndrome patients, trace value was found to be significantly higher in the left frontal white matter and the left dorsomedial thalamus, whereas fractional anisotropy was significantly reduced in the posterior limb of the internal capsule bilaterally, the right frontal white matter, and the splenium of the corpus callosum. The observed diffusivity characteristics indicate developmental abnormalities in these areas, which are highly consistent with the clinical features of Prader-Willi syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS:
The study provides the first objective evidence that Prader-Willi syndrome patients indeed have developmental abnormalities in specific areas of the brain, providing a new window toward understanding the pathophysiology of Prader-Willi syndrome.

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Author information

Author/s: Yamada, Kenichi (K); Matsuzawa, Hitoshi (H); Uchiyama, Makoto (M); Kwee, Ingrid L (IL); Nakada, Tsutomu (T);

Affiliation: Center for Integrated Human Brain Science, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Asahimachi 1-757, Niigata, 951-8585, Japan. tnakada(-atsign-)bri.niigata-u.ac.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 118 (issue 2) : pp e442-8

Dates: Created 2006/08/02; Completed 2006/09/11; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16882785, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Anisotropy
Brain - abnormalities
Child
Corpus Callosum - pathology
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Female
Frontal Lobe - pathology
Humans
Internal Capsule - pathology
Male
Prader-Willi Syndrome - pathology; physiopathology
Thalamus - pathology

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