title: Neurofibromatosis type 1.
abstract: Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a complex autosomal dominant disorder caused by germline mutations in the NF1 tumour suppressor gene. Nearly all individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 develop pigmentary lesions (café-au-lait macules, skinfold freckling and Lisch nodules) and dermal neurofibromas. Some individuals develop skeletal abnormalities (scoliosis, tibial pseudarthrosis and orbital dysplasia), brain tumours (optic pathway gliomas and glioblastoma), peripheral nerve tumours (spinal neurofibromas, plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours), learning disabilities, attention deficits, and social and behavioural problems, which can negatively affect quality of life. With the identification of NF1 and the generation of accurate preclinical mouse strains that model some of these clinical features, therapies that target the underlying molecular and cellular pathophysiology for neurofibromatosis type 1 are becoming available. Although no single treatment exists, current clinical management strategies include early detection of disease phenotypes (risk assessment) and biologically targeted therapies. Similarly, new medical and behavioural interventions are emerging to improve the quality of life of patients. Although considerable progress has been made in understanding this condition, numerous challenges remain; a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach is required to manage individuals with neurofibromatosis type1 and to develop effective treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gutmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.|Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Rosalie E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ferner
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic General Pediatrics and Primary Care, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.|Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Listernick
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Korf
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wolters
authors.affiliation: Master of Public Health Program, Brown School, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000209:etiology; D003071:Cognition; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005910:Glioma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000209:etiology; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / Q000235:genetics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C430461:SUZ12 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2