Thalamic T2 Hyperintensities and Cognitive Function in Chinese Children With NF-1

Abstract

Moore et al. found that lower PIQ was associated with thalamic UBOs while Jerring et al. suggested that simple presence of UBOs in the thalamus did not contribute to further lowering of cognitive and motor performance. In this study 32 right-handed Chinese children with NF-1 (age range 5-16 years) underwent MRI and neuropsychological testing including Hong Kong Wechsler Scale for Children, Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT). and Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT). Twelve children were found to be thalamic UBO +, 12 had UBOs elsewhere, and 8 had no UBOs. NF-1 children scored lower across most of the subtests in Wechsler Test when compared with the normal population but not to a significant .05 level. UBO + group had a lower FSIQ (M = 94.63) as compared to the UBO- group (M = 100) but again not to a significant .05 level. However, thalamic UBO+ group (FSIQ = 100.65) had a significantly lower FSIQ than thalamic UBO- group (FSIQ = 88.17: p = .031). Contrary to what one might expect. Pearson correlations showed that among the thalamic UBO+ group. the greater the volume of UBO in the site, the better the performance in cognitive functioning (FSIQ. r = .745, p = .013), verbal memory (HKLLT, r = .635, p = .048). and visual memory (RCFT, r = .641. P = .046). It is postulated that the growth of UBOs have positive effects in preserving the neuropsychological functions of the lesion area against further damage.