Project description:<p>This research study will investigate sleep behavior in the rare neurological disorders Angelman Syndrome (AS), Rett Syndrome (RTT), Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and Early-onset Morbid Obesity (EMO). Sleep is very important to proper health and plays a critical role in learning, memory, brain development and brain function. Sleep disturbances can have negative effects on health and the quality of life of children and their families. Sleep disorders are common in individuals with AS, RTT, PWS and EMO. As a result, individuals with AS, RTT, PWS and EMO are at risk for sleep-related health problems that can worsen existing daytime behaviors and lead to additional problems with learning and memory.</p> <p>The principal objectives of the study are to: </p> <p><ol> <li>Characterize sleep behavior in individuals with Angelman Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Early-onset Morbid Obesity.</li> <li>Compare sleep behavior in these individuals with sleep behavior in normal controls</li> <li>Assess the natural history of sleep behavior in individuals with Angelman Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome and Early-onset Morbid Obesity</li> </ol></p> <p><b>About this Study</b></p> <p>This is a questionnaire study that will evaluate the sleep behavior of individuals with AS, RTT or PWS (participants), or unaffected siblings of individuals with AS, RTT or PWS (controls). Those participating in the study will already be registered with the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) and have a confirmed diagnosis of AS, RTT or PWS or be an unaffected sibling. We will look at the medical records on file with the RDCRN to confirm diagnosis of AS, RTT or PWS. Study participants will participate in the study at their regularly scheduled RDCRN clinic visits. Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires at the study visits that will document their sleep behaviors.</p> <p>The questionnaires are not difficult and participants should be able to complete them in approximately 15-30 minutes. Parents and legal guardians are allowed to assist participants or answer on their behalf. Questionnaires will be administered at the initial study visit and at a 12 month follow-up visit to document any changes in sleep behavior. We hope to enroll approximately 1400 individuals with either AS, RTT or PWS or their unaffected siblings.</p>
Project description:We report a recurrent microdeletion syndrome causing mental retardation, epilepsy and variable facial and digital dysmorphisms. We describe nine patients, including six probands; two with de novo deletions, two who inherited the deletion from an affected parent, and two with unknown inheritance. The proximal breakpoint of the largest deletion is contiguous with breakpoint 3 (BP3) of the Prader-Willi/Angelman region extending 3.95 Mb distally to BP5. A smaller 1.5 Mb deletion has proximal breakpoint within the larger deletion (BP4) and shares the same distal BP5. This recurrent 1.5 Mb deletion contains six genes, including a candidate gene for epilepsy (CHRNA7) that is likely responsible for the observed seizure phenotype. The BP4-BP5 region undergoes frequent inversion, suggesting a possible link between this inversion polymorphism and recurrent deletion. The frequency of these microdeletions in mental retardation cases is ~0.3% (6/2082 tested), a prevalence comparable to that of the Williams, Angelman, and Prader-Willi syndromes. Keywords: microdeletion, genomic disorder, mental retardation, epilepsy Patients were intially screened by BAC array CGH (n=290) or qPCR (n=1040). Patients with potential 15q13 deletions were then analyzed on a custom oligonucleotide array targeted to the 15q13 region, results of which are shown here.
Project description:We report a recurrent microdeletion syndrome causing mental retardation, epilepsy and variable facial and digital dysmorphisms. We describe nine patients, including six probands; two with de novo deletions, two who inherited the deletion from an affected parent, and two with unknown inheritance. The proximal breakpoint of the largest deletion is contiguous with breakpoint 3 (BP3) of the Prader-Willi/Angelman region extending 3.95 Mb distally to BP5. A smaller 1.5 Mb deletion has proximal breakpoint within the larger deletion (BP4) and shares the same distal BP5. This recurrent 1.5 Mb deletion contains six genes, including a candidate gene for epilepsy (CHRNA7) that is likely responsible for the observed seizure phenotype. The BP4-BP5 region undergoes frequent inversion, suggesting a possible link between this inversion polymorphism and recurrent deletion. The frequency of these microdeletions in mental retardation cases is ~0.3% (6/2082 tested), a prevalence comparable to that of the Williams, Angelman, and Prader-Willi syndromes. Keywords: microdeletion, genomic disorder, mental retardation, epilepsy
Project description:Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic cause of childhood obesity, is characterized by intellectual disabilities and sleep abnormalities. PWS-causing deletions include a neuronal long, non-coding RNA (lncRNA) processed into small nucleolar RNAs and a spliced lncRNA,116HG. We show that 116HG forms a subnuclear RNA cloud that co-purifies with the transcriptional activator RBBP5 and active metabolic genes, remains tethered to the site of its transcription and increases in size in postnatal neurons. Snord116del mice lacking 116HG exhibited increased energy expenditure corresponding to dysregulation of diurnally expressed Mtor and circadian genes Clock, Cry1, and Per2. Genomic and metabolic analyses demonstrate altered diurnal energy regulation in the Snord116del mouse cortex and link the loss of 116HG to the energy imbalance observed in PWS.
Project description:Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a genetic cause of childhood obesity, is characterized by intellectual disabilities and sleep abnormalities. PWS-causing deletions include a neuronal long, non-coding RNA (lncRNA) processed into small nucleolar RNAs and a spliced lncRNA,116HG. We show that 116HG forms a subnuclear RNA cloud that co-purifies with the transcriptional activator RBBP5 and active metabolic genes, remains tethered to the site of its transcription and increases in size in postnatal neurons. Snord116del mice lacking 116HG exhibited increased energy expenditure corresponding to dysregulation of diurnally expressed Mtor and circadian genes Clock, Cry1, and Per2. Genomic and metabolic analyses demonstrate altered diurnal energy regulation in the Snord116del mouse cortex and link the loss of 116HG to the energy imbalance observed in PWS. Examination of lncRNA binding sites by ChIRP-seq using an oligo-based purification method from WT and Snord116del (+/-) mouse brain with specific and nonspecific control oligos. Transcript abundance levels by RNA-seq analysis of 3 adult WT and 2 adult Snord116del (+/-) mouse brain cortices at Zt+6 and 2 adult WT and 2 adult Snord116del (+/-) mouse brain cortices at Zt+16.