Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Aims. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent neurocognitive impairments in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and a well-known risk factor for intellectual dysfunction in general. Since NF1 is per se associated with intellectual difficulties, this comorbidity may be...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Pediatrics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9493837 |
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| author | Magdalena Heimgärtner Sofia Granström Karin Haas-Lude Robert A. Leark Victor-Felix Mautner Karen Lidzba |
| author_facet | Magdalena Heimgärtner Sofia Granström Karin Haas-Lude Robert A. Leark Victor-Felix Mautner Karen Lidzba |
| author_sort | Magdalena Heimgärtner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent neurocognitive impairments in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and a well-known risk factor for intellectual dysfunction in general. Since NF1 is per se associated with intellectual difficulties, this comorbidity may be crucial for the cognitive development of affected patients. In our study, we investigated if attention deficits are associated with intellectual functioning in NF1 and if children with NF1 plus ADHD differ in their intellectual and attention profiles from children affected by NF1-only or ADHD only. Methods. 111 children aged between 6 and 12 years (53 NF1 plus ADHD, 28 NF1-only, 30 ADHD-only) performed the German version of the intelligence test WISC-IV and a continuous performance test (T.O.V.A.) to assess attention functions. Parents completed questionnaires about everyday attention and executive functions (Conners 3®, BRIEF). Results. Children with NF1 plus ADHD showed significantly lower intelligence test scores (full-scale IQ: 89.39 [1.40]) than patients with NF1-only (full-scale IQ: 101.14 [1.98]; p<.001), and intellectual functioning correlated significantly with attention performance in NF1 (p<.001). As compared to NF1-only, attention, and executive functioning were impaired on several dimensions (T.O.V.A., Conners 3® and BRIEF) in NF1 plus ADHD. ADHD-only was associated with significantly higher problem scores regarding hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention (Conners 3®). NF1-only was associated with inattentiveness when compared to the normative sample of the T.O.V.A. Conclusion. NF1 is associated with variable attention problems. Severe attention deficits appear to be a risk factor for intellectual dysfunction in NF1, more than NF1 without attention deficit. NF1 plus ADHD presents a specific cognitive profile, which differs from that of NF1 and from neurotypical ADHD. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2cc4e794a66479bb14d656420293e15 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9740 1687-9759 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Pediatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-b2cc4e794a66479bb14d656420293e152025-08-20T03:39:19ZengWileyInternational Journal of Pediatrics1687-97401687-97592019-01-01201910.1155/2019/94938379493837Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1Magdalena Heimgärtner0Sofia Granström1Karin Haas-Lude2Robert A. Leark3Victor-Felix Mautner4Karen Lidzba5University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 1, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyUniversity Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Neurology, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyUniversity Children’s Hospital Tübingen, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 1, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyCalifornian School of Forensic Studies, Alliant International University San Diego, 10455 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA 92131, USAUniversity Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Neurology, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, GermanyUniversity Children’s Hospital Tübingen, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hoppe-Seyler-Straße 1, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyAims. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent neurocognitive impairments in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and a well-known risk factor for intellectual dysfunction in general. Since NF1 is per se associated with intellectual difficulties, this comorbidity may be crucial for the cognitive development of affected patients. In our study, we investigated if attention deficits are associated with intellectual functioning in NF1 and if children with NF1 plus ADHD differ in their intellectual and attention profiles from children affected by NF1-only or ADHD only. Methods. 111 children aged between 6 and 12 years (53 NF1 plus ADHD, 28 NF1-only, 30 ADHD-only) performed the German version of the intelligence test WISC-IV and a continuous performance test (T.O.V.A.) to assess attention functions. Parents completed questionnaires about everyday attention and executive functions (Conners 3®, BRIEF). Results. Children with NF1 plus ADHD showed significantly lower intelligence test scores (full-scale IQ: 89.39 [1.40]) than patients with NF1-only (full-scale IQ: 101.14 [1.98]; p<.001), and intellectual functioning correlated significantly with attention performance in NF1 (p<.001). As compared to NF1-only, attention, and executive functioning were impaired on several dimensions (T.O.V.A., Conners 3® and BRIEF) in NF1 plus ADHD. ADHD-only was associated with significantly higher problem scores regarding hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention (Conners 3®). NF1-only was associated with inattentiveness when compared to the normative sample of the T.O.V.A. Conclusion. NF1 is associated with variable attention problems. Severe attention deficits appear to be a risk factor for intellectual dysfunction in NF1, more than NF1 without attention deficit. NF1 plus ADHD presents a specific cognitive profile, which differs from that of NF1 and from neurotypical ADHD.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9493837 |
| spellingShingle | Magdalena Heimgärtner Sofia Granström Karin Haas-Lude Robert A. Leark Victor-Felix Mautner Karen Lidzba Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 International Journal of Pediatrics |
| title | Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 |
| title_full | Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 |
| title_fullStr | Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 |
| title_short | Attention Deficit Predicts Intellectual Functioning in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 |
| title_sort | attention deficit predicts intellectual functioning in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/9493837 |
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