Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Japanese infants with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have lower levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxine compared with healthy infants, according to a new study. However, the levels of thyroxine, also known as free T4 (FT4), increased with age, with no differences detected between toddlers with or without PWS,…

The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) have partnered to launch a survey assessing the use of telemedicine as a way of improving access to care from Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) specialists. The online survey also seeks to evaluate the stress of caregivers within…

Children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) struggle to express adequate facial and bodily emotions, which is linked to difficulties adapting socially, a study suggests. The study, “Equivocal expression of emotions in children with Prader-Willi syndrome: what are the consequences for emotional abilities and social adjustment?,” was published in the…

Small mutations in SNORD1116, a gene previously linked with typical manifestations of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), is associated with paranoia in women, a study shows. This finding reflects the greater incidence of mental health problems in those with PWS compared to the general population, scientists said. The study, “…

The number of treatments for children with rare diseases has grown over the past decade, according to a new study. However, despite the increase, nearly 7,000 rare diseases are still lacking treatment. And federal incentives to boost treatment development for these rare diseases have primarily focused not on creating new…

Adenotonsillectomy — a surgery to remove both the adenoids and tonsils — may help ease obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a Taiwanese study suggests. However, the procedure’s limited rate of success requires additional therapies post-surgery, the investigators said. The study, “Adenotonsillectomy…

People with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) rarely undergo hip or knee replacement surgery, but those who do tend to be younger than their counterparts in the general population, a large U.S. nationwide study reports. The study, “Comparison of Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Rates of Individuals With and Without Prader-Willi…

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) — which sends signals to a key nerve that runs through the neck — may help reduce temper outbursts and improve quality of life in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a small trial suggests. The study, “Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS): A…

Telomeres — a marker of cell division and lifespan — were found to be shorter in young adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) than in healthy controls, which could be a sign of premature aging, a study reports. The study, “Evidence for accelerated biological ageing in young adults…

Treatment with growth hormone for eight years led to a lower spine curvature in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) who developed scoliosis, a preliminary Dutch study reports. The research, “Effects of eight years growth hormone treatment on the onset and progression of scoliosis in children with Prader-Willi syndrome,”…