Neuropsychological impairments and the impact of dystrophin mutations on general cognitive functioning of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Mutations in the dystrophin gene have long been recognised as a cause of mental retardation. However, for reasons that are unclear, some boys with dystrophin mutations do not show general cognitive deficits. To investigate the relationship between dystrophin mutations and cognition, the general intellectual abilities of a group of 25 boys with genetically confirmed Duchenne muscular dystrophy were evaluated. Furthermore, a subgroup underwent additional detailed neuropsychological assessment. The results showed a mean full scale intelligence quotient (IQ) of 88 (standard deviation 24). Patients performed very poorly on various neuropsychological tests, including arithmetics, digit span tests and verbal fluency. No simple relationship between dystrophin mutations and cognitive functioning could be detected. However, our analysis revealed that patients who lack the dystrophin isoform Dp140 have significantly greater cognitive problems.
Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern 3010, Switzerland. kevin.wingeier@gmail.com
Kevin
K
Wingeier
Elisabeth
E
Giger
Susi
S
Strozzi
Roland
R
Kreis
Franziska
F
Joncourt
Bernard
B
Conrad
Sabina
S
Gallati
Maja
M
Steinlin
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016189:Dystrophin / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009154:Mutation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
D016189:Dystrophin