Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is often discussed in the literature with regard to physical impairments. This narrative review aims to show that living with DMD involves psychological, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects in addition to the well-known phys...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Federica Tizzoni Giulia Canella Antonella Delle Fave Daniele Di Lernia Maria Luisa Lorusso Maria Nobile Maria Grazia D’Angelo |
| author_facet | Federica Tizzoni Giulia Canella Antonella Delle Fave Daniele Di Lernia Maria Luisa Lorusso Maria Nobile Maria Grazia D’Angelo |
| author_sort | Federica Tizzoni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is often discussed in the literature with regard to physical impairments. This narrative review aims to show that living with DMD involves psychological, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects in addition to the well-known physical complications. <b>Methods</b>: Firstly, this review examines the main cognitive functions affecting subjects with DMD and the possible role of dystrophin gene mutations on the central nervous system. Secondly, it analyzes the comorbidity between DMD, neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder) and psychopathological traits (anxiety and/or depressive symptoms). Finally, the review addresses the relatively sparse literature investigating the positive aspects associated with the experience of DMD, like psychosocial resources, resilience, subjective well-being, positive individual and social functioning, and social support. <b>Results</b>: DMD has a significant impact on cognitive areas, probably due to dystrophin deficiency in the brain. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities and psychopathological symptoms is also higher in people with DMD than in the general population. Despite these challenges, emerging studies highlight the role of psychosocial and environmental resources, including resilience and supportive social relations, in promoting a good quality of life and successful adaptation to disease progression. <b>Conclusions</b>: Early recognition of the above difficulties and strengths could ensure better care and promote an overall better quality of life for people with DMD and their families, physically, psychologically, and socially. Preclinical and clinical research is moving in the direction of finding new therapies, treatments, and psychosocial interventions to pursue these goals. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-166e1e716bee49508b5c260549f52e4a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-166e1e716bee49508b5c260549f52e4a2025-08-20T02:45:45ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-06-0115769510.3390/brainsci15070695Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative ReviewFederica Tizzoni0Giulia Canella1Antonella Delle Fave2Daniele Di Lernia3Maria Luisa Lorusso4Maria Nobile5Maria Grazia D’Angelo6Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Child Psychopathology, 23842 Bosisio Parini, LC, ItalyScientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Rare Diseases of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, 23842 Bosisio Parini, LC, ItalyDepartment of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, 20122 Milan, MI, ItalyDepartment of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, e-Campus University, 22060 Novedrate, CO, ItalyScientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Child Psychopathology, 23842 Bosisio Parini, LC, ItalyScientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Child Psychopathology, 23842 Bosisio Parini, LC, ItalyScientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Rare Diseases of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, 23842 Bosisio Parini, LC, Italy<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is often discussed in the literature with regard to physical impairments. This narrative review aims to show that living with DMD involves psychological, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects in addition to the well-known physical complications. <b>Methods</b>: Firstly, this review examines the main cognitive functions affecting subjects with DMD and the possible role of dystrophin gene mutations on the central nervous system. Secondly, it analyzes the comorbidity between DMD, neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder) and psychopathological traits (anxiety and/or depressive symptoms). Finally, the review addresses the relatively sparse literature investigating the positive aspects associated with the experience of DMD, like psychosocial resources, resilience, subjective well-being, positive individual and social functioning, and social support. <b>Results</b>: DMD has a significant impact on cognitive areas, probably due to dystrophin deficiency in the brain. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities and psychopathological symptoms is also higher in people with DMD than in the general population. Despite these challenges, emerging studies highlight the role of psychosocial and environmental resources, including resilience and supportive social relations, in promoting a good quality of life and successful adaptation to disease progression. <b>Conclusions</b>: Early recognition of the above difficulties and strengths could ensure better care and promote an overall better quality of life for people with DMD and their families, physically, psychologically, and socially. Preclinical and clinical research is moving in the direction of finding new therapies, treatments, and psychosocial interventions to pursue these goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/695Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)cognitive functioningpsychopathologypsychosocial resourceswell-beingquality of life |
| spellingShingle | Federica Tizzoni Giulia Canella Antonella Delle Fave Daniele Di Lernia Maria Luisa Lorusso Maria Nobile Maria Grazia D’Angelo Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review Brain Sciences Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cognitive functioning psychopathology psychosocial resources well-being quality of life |
| title | Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Beyond the Physical Implications: Cognitive Features, Psychopathology Aspects, and Psychosocial Resources—A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | living with duchenne muscular dystrophy beyond the physical implications cognitive features psychopathology aspects and psychosocial resources a narrative review |
| topic | Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cognitive functioning psychopathology psychosocial resources well-being quality of life |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/695 |
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