Relationship between cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

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 ..