Whole Transcriptome Profiling and Metabolic Phenotyping in Children With ROHHAD Syndrome

Late-onset hypoventilation syndrome with hypothalamic dysfunction was first described in 1965 and renamed to ROHHAD syndrome in 2007 by Ize-Ludlow et al. The hallmark of ROHHAD syndrome is rapid-onset obesity starting at approximately 1.5 years of age with weight gain of 12-20 kg/year, central hypoventilation distinct from the obstructive hypoventilation caused by obesity, hyperphagia, a spectrum of pituitary hormonal dysfunction, and autonomic disturbances including temperature, blood pressure, and nociception abnormalities. Some children have been noted with developmental and behavioral abnormalities. Tumors of neural crest origin have been identified in 25-33% of the patients. The etiology of ROHHAD syndrome and the cause of rapid onset obesity is unknown. The aims of this study are to understand the whole transcriptome profiling of patient specific induced pluripotent cell (iPSC) derived hypothalamic neurons to understand the transcriptional level changes that give rise to the manifestations seen in ROHHAD syndrome. Aim 1. Generate patient specific iPSC-derived hypothalamic neurons from children with ROHHAD syndrome and their unaffected first degree relatives. Aim 2: Compare the whole transcriptome profiling of the patient derived cells compared to those of unaffected relatives and reference datasets to understand the differences in transcriptome that gives rise to ROHHAD syndrome. Aim 3: Selected patients may be invited to participate for detailed metabolic phenotyping to understand the mechanisms of excessive weight gain.