"Research is creating new knowledge."
--Neil Armstrong
2006 was a big year for research on Prader-Willi syndrome. There has never been a greater interest in PWS by the research community, and new discoveries have unlocked many of the mysteries of this disorder.
PWSA of Colorado funds its medical research on PWS through the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) and PWSA-USA. PWSA-USA's research efforts can be found on their research page.
FPWR is a non-profit international organization whose sole purpose is to find treatments and a cure for Prader-Willi syndrome through the advancement of research. There is much more information about FPWR on their Website: www.fpwr.org. Below are highlights from FPWR on the latest accomplishments in PWS research, provided by Dr.. Theresa Strong, Chair of FPWR’s Scientific Advisory Council.
For more information about Prader-Willi research or to keep up on the latest news, please visit (and bookmark) Dr. Strong's blog on the FPWR web site.
2006 PWS Research News (from FPWR)
“[2006] saw the first understanding of how disruption of special ‘snoRNAs” (small nucleolar RNAs) in the PWS region of chromosome 15 affects the function of other genes. Specifically, loss of one particular snoRNA in the PWS leads to an alteration in the serotonin system – a system which that regulates appetite, mood and sleep, among other things. Thus, the molecular ‘reasons’ for the PWS characteristics are beginning to come to light.
In addition, the PWS field continues to benefit from intense efforts to understand appetite regulation; just as the field of obesity research has benefited from studying the special case of PWS. The past few years have seen the discovery of several new molecules critical to appetite control in typical individuals as well as those with PWS. These include leptin, a signal of ‘fullness’, orexin, a peptide important in both appetite control and wakefulness, (which is abnormally low in some with PWS) and ghrelin, the hunger molecule that is abnormally high in those with PWS. While past years have focused on identification and initial characterization of these ‘hunger hormones’, this year has been marked by advances in understanding of how these signals are integrated in the brain to control food intake, influence the reward circuitry (emotions), and regulate energy expenditure. An understanding of the integration of these signals will be critical for development of effective, hunger-curbing drugs.”
For more information on FPWR’s grants program, or to get a full review of all the research funded by FPWR on Prader-Willi syndrome, please visit FPWR's website.
