title: Executive functioning deficits in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: The influence of intellectual and social functioning.
abstract: The aim of this study was to provide a broad picture of Executive Functioning (EF) in NF1 children, while taking into account their lower average IQ and increased Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms. This was done by administering an extended battery of tasks and questionnaires, designed to reduce task impurity, that measures five EF domains (inhibition, cognitive flexibility, working memory, generativity and planning) in a laboratory setting and in daily life. Data are presented for 42 age- and gender-matched NF1, 52 typically developing, and 52 ASD children (8-18 years). Our results indicated that although EF is highly influenced by IQ and severity of ASD symptoms, EF deficits seem to be a core feature of NF1 and not merely a secondary effect of a lower IQ and/or increased ASD symptoms. However, additional research is needed to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plasschaert
authors.affiliation: Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Eylen
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mie-Jef
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Descheemaeker
authors.affiliation: Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Noens
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Legius
authors.affiliation: Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Child Psychiatry, UPC-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steyaert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: ASD; NF1; autism spectrum disorder; executive functioning; neurofibromatosis type 1