ESPE Abstracts

Background: Neural crest (NC) cells emerge at the interface between neural and non-neural ectoderm, and migrate extensively to form a variety of NC derivatives such as peripheral neurons, glia, melanocytes, endocrine cells, and mesenchymal precursor cells. NC cells possess various unique properties and are capable of undergoing cell fate decisions across multiple tissues and germ layers. In zebrafish and mouse, GnRH neurons are reported to arise also from NC.<p class="abst...

Background: Recently, mutations in the maternally imprinted MKRN3 gene have been associated to familial idiopathic central precocious puberty (iPPC). The clinical phenotype and the frequency of these mutations are poorly described.Objective and hypotheses: Delineate the frequency of MKRN3 mutations in iPPC and perform a genotype–phenotype correlation in MKRN3 mutated patients.Method: 59 index cases with iPPC have been included...

Background: Gordon Holmes syndrome (GHS) is characterized by cerebellar ataxia/atrophy and normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (nHH). The underlying pathophysiology of this combined neurodegeneration and nHH remains unknown.Patients and methods: We studied a cohort of multiplex families with GHS through autozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing.Results: We identified patients from three independent families carrying loss-...

Background: Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis activates soon after birth, and this ‘minipuberty’ provides a transient phase for evaluation of the function of the HPG axis in early infancy. Substantial differences in postnatal gonadotropin secretion have been reported between preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) boys and girls. Therefore, when evaluating gonadotropin levels in infants, time from birth (calendar age), maturity (postmenstrual, PM age) and s...

Background: Gliomas are the most common subgroup of CNS tumours in children. Histologic grading is a means of predicting the biological behavior of these tumours and survival is strongly correlated with tumour gradation. The IGF system of ligands and receptors are known to play an important role in both normal and neoplastic growth. Recently, nuclear translocation of the type 1 IGF1R has been demonstrated in tumour tissues. Although the IGF1R expression has been described in C...

Background: Diencephalic syndrome (DS) is a rare disorder of severe emaciation classically associated with infantile Hypothalamochiasmatic low-grade gliomas (HCLGGs) and GH excess. However, diagnostic criteria remain undefined and published literature includes non-specific tumour-related cachexia. In a large optic pathway LGG cohort (n=166), we have previously demonstrated that DS independently predicts multiple tumour progressions and severe endocrine morbidity.<...