Profiling of the gut microbiome in children with PWS
Principal Investigator – Andrea M Haqq, MD, MHS, FRCP
University of Alberta, Canada
ABSTRACT
Individuals with a genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) are at risk for development of obesity at a young age. Children with PWS often have a very high food intake because they experience a constant feeling of hunger. However, even children with PWS who limit their food intake can still gain excessive amounts of weight. Attempts to control weight in PWS through dietary interventions have had limited success. The human gut contains bacteria that play an important role in food digestion. When the stomach and small intestine are unable to digest certain foods, gut microbes ensure nutrients are digested. Changes in gut microbes may lead to obesity, but the specific role of gut microbes in weight control in PWS and childhood obesity is not yet fully understood.
In this study, they will compare the gut microbial composition of infants and children with PWS to individuals of similar age, sex and body weight who do not have PWS. PWS infants and children and controls (ages 0-17 years) will be recruited. A stool sample will be collected during one study visit at the University of Alberta. They will assess the microbiome at different stages of development to assess whether temporal changes in the microbiome are associated with temporal change in food seeking behavior and hyperphagia.
Hypotheses: The gut microbial composition will be significantly different between PWS and matched controls.
Relevance: This proposal uses state-of-the-art technology to address a critical clinical question. It will provide novel information to design therapies aimed at reversing gut dysbiosis (a microbial imbalance or maladaptation on or inside the body), and thereby improving metabolism and lowering inflammation in children with PWS with obesity.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.