@article{ref1,
title="Relationship between cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1",
journal="Developmental medicine and child neurology",
year="2014",
author="Champion, Joel A. and Rose, Kristy J. and Payne, Jonathan M. and Burns, Joshua and North, Kathryn N.",
volume="56",
number="5",
pages="468-474",
abstract="AIM: Motor skill impairment and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported features of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We characterized and determined the relationship between motor impairment, gait variables, and cognitive function in children and adolescents with NF1.   METHOD: Motor function, gait, and neurocognitive abilities were assessed in 46 children and adolescents with NF1 (26 males, 20 females; age range 7-17y; mean age 11y 1mo, SD 3y 2mo). Tests to establish correlations between neurocognitive, motor, and gait variables were performed.   RESULTS: Compared with normative data, 28/39 of our NF1 cohort demonstrated impaired performance for balance and upper limb coordination and 16/38 for running speed and agility. Gait data revealed a strategy to preserve balance at the expense of velocity, with the unexpected exception of a tendency for reduced base of support. Neurocognitive testing confirmed mean IQ in the low average range (86.0) and deficits in spatial working memory and strategy generation. Significant correlations between a number of neurocognitive measures and motor abilities and gait were identified. The largest associations were between gait width and spatial working memory (r=0.594) and running speed and agility with strategy generation (r=0.549).   INTERPRETATION: We have identified a relationship between balance, running speed and agility, gait, and cognition in children with NF1. Findings suggest a shared abnormal neurodevelopmental process underlying some cognitive and motor abilities in NF1. Results are discussed within the context of evidence highlighting abnormal dopamine-mediated corticostriatal circuitry in NF1.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0012-1622",
doi="10.1111/dmcn.12361",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12361"
}