title: [Neuropsychological performance in neurofibromatosis type 1].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder with various clinical manifestations that affect the peripheral and central nervous system, as well as the skin, bones and endocrine and vascular system. There is still insufficient knowledge of neuropsychological effects of NF1 on children, and there is some controversy about the cognitive deficits that defines the cognitive profile of patients affected by this disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study an analysis is made of the neuropsychological performance of a group of patients affected by NF1, compared with a control group of healthy children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparison was made between the neuropsychological performance of a group of 23 boys and girls with a mean age of 8.7 years (+/-1.39) and diagnosed with NF1, and a control group consisting of 21 healthy children, with mean age of 8.9 years (+/- 1.41) and with similar socio-demographic characteristics. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) was applied to evaluate the subjects of both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group of patients affected with NF1 showed a lower performance in every primary index of WISC IV: Verbal Comprehension Index, Fluid Reasoning Index, Working Memory Index, Processing Speed Index, and full Scale IQ. Only in two subscales were no statistically significant differences observed: similarities and coding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show subtle and generalised neuropsychological alterations in the sample of children affected with NF1, which affect most of cognitive domains that have been evaluated. Proper specific and early neuropsychological treatment should be provided in order to prevent the high risk for these children of presenting learning difficulties and school failure.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España. Electronic address: lilcasti@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hernández Del Castillo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez Bermejo
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Portellano Pérez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tirado Requero
authors.affiliation: Centros Nuestra Señora del Buen Consejo y Pinosierra, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garriz Luis
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neuropediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Velázquez Fragua
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Cociente intelectual; Cognitive deficit; Dificultades de aprendizaje; Déficit cognitivo; Escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para niños-IV; Intelligence quotient; Learning difficulties; Neurofibromatosis tipo 1; Neurofibromatosis type 1; Neuropsychological performance; Rendimiento neuropsicológico; WISC-IV