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. 2022 Mar 14;11(6):1592.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11061592.

Cognitive and Adaptive Effects of Early Growth Hormone Treatment in Prader-Willi Syndrome Patients: A Cohort Study

Aitana Ayet-Roger  1   2 , Lorena Joga-Elvira  2   3 , Assumpta Caixàs  3   4   5 , Raquel Corripio  3   4   6
Affiliations

Cognitive and Adaptive Effects of Early Growth Hormone Treatment in Prader-Willi Syndrome Patients: A Cohort Study

Aitana Ayet-Roger et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a genetically based neurodevelopmental disease characterized by obesity, hyperphagia, and mild to moderate intellectual disability. Treatment with growth hormone (GH) could provide cognitive benefits. The objective of the present study was to compare the cognitive and adaptive performance of 31 patients with genetically confirmed PWS grouped in two cohorts, one treated with GH before 2 years old (Group 1) and the other receiving the treatment later (Group 2).

Method: We compared two variables necessary to diagnose intellectual disability: intellectual performance, using the Weschler scales, and adaptive behavior, using the DABS scale. The scores were analyzed by means of non-parametric statistical tests.

Results: Group 1 (n = 10) obtained higher and statistically significant scores in Total Intelligence Quotient (TIQ), General Ability Index (GAI), and General Adaptive Behavior (GAB), implying better cognitive and adaptive performance compared to Group 2.

Conclusions: Treatment with GH should be administered in the early stage of development (before 2 years old) to obtain greater benefits at the cognitive and adaptive levels.

Keywords: Prader–Willi Syndrome; adaptive behavior; cognition; growth hormone treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Boxplot of comparison of differences in processing speed for the two groups. (°) and (*): outlier values.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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