- Joined
- Oct 12, 2015
Seeing strikerwolf reminded me of this rare genetic disability I read about a while ago, which include cognitive disabilities and excessive hunger.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prader–Willi_syndrome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prader–Willi_syndrome
Prader–Willi syndrome is frequently associated with an extreme and insatiable appetite, often resulting in morbid obesity. It is the most common genetic cause of morbid obesity in children.[11] There is currently no consensus as to the cause for this symptom, although genetic abnormalities in chromosome 15 disrupt the normal functioning of the hypothalamus.[7] Given that the hypothalamus arcuate nucleus regulates many basic processes, including appetite, there may well be a link. In the hypothalamus of people with PWS, nerve cells that produce oxytocin, a hormone thought to contribute to satiety, have been found to be abnormal.
Individuals with PWS are at risk of learning and attention difficulties. Curfs and Fryns (1992) conducted research into the varying degrees of learning disability found in PWS.[6] Their results, using a measure of IQ, were as follows:
Cassidy found that 40% of individuals with PWS have borderline/low average intelligence,[7] a figure higher than the 32% found in Curfs and Fryns' study.[6] However, both studies suggest that most individuals (50–65%) fall within the mild/borderline/low average intelligence range.
- 5%: IQ above 85 (high to low average intelligence)
- 27%: IQ 70–85 (borderline intellectual functioning)
- 39%: IQ 50–70 (mild intellectual disability)
- 27%: IQ 35–50 (moderate intellectual disability)
- 1%: IQ 20–35 (severe intellectual disability)
- <1%: IQ <20 (profound intellectual disability)
Parents report that some children have IQs >110 and function normally in school.[citation needed]
Children with PWS show an unusual cognitive profile. They are often strong in visual organization and perception, including reading and vocabulary, but their spoken language (sometimes affected by hypernasality) is generally poorer than their comprehension. A marked skill in completing jigsaw puzzles has been noted,[8][9] but this may be an effect of increased practice.[10]
Auditory information processing and sequential processing are relatively poor, as are arithmetic and writing skills, visual and auditory short-term memory and auditory attention span. These sometimes improve with age, but deficits in these areas remain throughout adulthood.[8]
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