Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
05:44

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development

Published on: May 17, 2024

1.2K

Intelligence Over Time in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Based on a Structured Natural History-Study

Sandra van Abeelen1, Jos G M Hendriksen1,2, Anton de Louw1

  • 1Kempenhaeghe, Centre for Neurological Learning Disabilities, Heeze, the Netherlands.

Journal of Child Neurology
|February 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Intelligence in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) remains stable overall. Performance IQ may dip at age 11 but recovers by age 15, warranting neurocognitive monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder that can affect cognitive development.
  • Understanding intelligence trajectories in NF1 is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the developmental course of intelligence in children with NF1.
  • To identify factors influencing cognitive changes in NF1.
  • To assess the gap between Performance IQ (PIQ) and Verbal IQ (VIQ) over time.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional and longitudinal study design.
  • Involved 397 children with NF1 assessed at ages 3, 6, 11, and 15 years.
  • Utilized a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.

Main Results:

  • Overall intelligence remained stable in children with NF1 from ages 3 to 15.
  • A transient decrease in PIQ at age 11 was observed, with recovery by age 15.
  • The gap between PIQ and VIQ narrowed over time.
  • Maternal education, inheritance mode, and ADHD were not significant predictors of cognitive changes.

Conclusions:

  • Intelligence is generally stable in children with NF1, but neurocognitive monitoring is advised.
  • The critical period for attention and learning issues is between ages 6 and 11.
  • Monitoring can help manage potential attention and learning difficulties associated with NF1.

Keywords:
ADHDchildrenintelligencelongitudinalneurofibromatosis type 1

More Related Videos

An Orthotopic Sciatic Nerve Xenograft for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Neurofibromas03:53

An Orthotopic Sciatic Nerve Xenograft for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Neurofibromas

Published on: October 10, 2025

547
Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders07:43

Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Published on: May 12, 2015

11.9K

Related Concept Videos

Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter...
609
Sutures of the Skull01:22

Sutures of the Skull

The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
13.4K
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
620