Early childhood obesity is associated with compromised cerebellar development.
As part of a study investigating commonalities between Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS-a genetic imprinting disorder) and early-onset obesity of unknown etiology (EMO) we measured total cerebral and cerebellar volume on volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Individuals with PWS (N = 16) and EMO (N = 12) had smaller cerebellar volumes than a control group of 15 siblings (p = .02 control vs. EMO; p = .0005 control vs. PWS), although there was no difference among the groups in cerebral volume. Individuals with PWS and EMO also had impaired cognitive function: general intellectual ability (GIA): PWS 65 +/- 25; EMO 81 +/- 19; and Controls 112 +/- 13 (p < .0001 controls vs. PWS and controls vs. EMO). As both conditions are characterized by early-onset obesity and slowed cognitive development, these results raise the possibility that early childhood obesity retards both cerebellar and cognitive development.
Miller
Jennifer L
JL
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0296, USA. millejl@peds.ufl.edu
Couch
Jessica
J
Schwenk
Krista
K
Long
Michelle
M
Towler
Stephen
S
Theriaque
Douglas W
DW
He
Guojun
G
Liu
Yijun
Y
Driscoll
Daniel J
DJ
Leonard
Christiana M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000502:physiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult