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Neuropediatrics 2014; 45(04): 240-246
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1368117
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pharmacotherapy of Attention Deficit in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Effects on Cognition

Karen Lidzba
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
,
Sofia Granstroem
2   Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
,
Robert A. Leark
3   Californian School of Forensic Studies, Alliant International University, San Diego, California, United States
,
Inge Kraegeloh-Mann
1   Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
,
Victor-Felix Mautner
2   Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

09 August 2013

23 November 2013

Publication Date:
06 February 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Aim Attention deficit with or without hyperactivity (AD[H]D) is a common comorbidity of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF 1). We tested the hypothesis that permanent medication with methylphenidate can improve cognitive functioning in children with NF 1 and comorbid AD(H)D.

Patients and Method We retrospectively analyzed data of a clinical sample of patients with NF 1 with or without AD(H)D, who underwent standardized neuropsychological diagnostics twice (age range: T1, 6–14 years; T2, 7–16 years; mean interval, 49.09 months). A total of 16 children without AD(H)D (nine females) were compared with 14 unmedicated children with AD(H)D (eight females) and to 13 medicated children with AD(H)D (two females). Effects of medication and attention on cognitive outcome (IQ) were tested by repeated measures analysis of covariance (rmANCOVA).

Results Medicated children with NF 1 improved significantly in full-scale IQ from T1 to T2 (IQ[T1] = 80.38, IQ[T2] = 98.38, confidence interval [diff]: –25.59 to –10.40, p < 0.0001), this effect was not evident for the other groups. With attention measures as covariates, the effect remained marginally significant.

Conclusion Children and adolescents with NF 1 and comorbid AD(H)D may profit from MPH medication regarding general cognition. This effect could be specific for the group of patients with NF 1, and cannot be explained solely by improvements in attention. Controlled, prospective studies are warranted to corroborate our findings.

Keywords

neurofibromatosis type 1 - attention deficit - intelligence
 

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