This proposal concerns cognitive impairment in children with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a common autosomal-dominant genetic disease that is associated with central nervous system involvement and that has cognitive impairment as the most common neurological symptom. Few children are retarded but 40 percent have learning disabilities. In the last decade, the NF1 gene has been localized and sequenced. Its protein products may stimulate GAPs (GTPase activating proteins), that affect other proteins important for cell proliferation and development. The rationale for the proposed research is that the type and etiology of the learning disabilities in NF1 are poorly understood. The general objective is to determine whether the cognitive impairments are one component of a failure of control of brain growth and development. The study is designed to provide data about normal brain growth and the growth pattern of NF1 children and will allow correlations between phenotype and genotype for the learning disabilities in NF1.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS036829-04
Application #
6393590
Study Section
Human Development and Aging Subcommittee 3 (HUD)
Program Officer
Finkelstein, Robert
Project Start
1998-05-15
Project End
2003-04-30
Budget Start
2001-05-01
Budget End
2002-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$304,979
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Greenwood, Robert S; Tupler, Larry A; Whitt, J Kenneth et al. (2005) Brain morphometry, T2-weighted hyperintensities, and IQ in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. Arch Neurol 62:1904-8
Eastwood, J D; Fiorella, D J; MacFall, J F et al. (2001) Increased brain apparent diffusion coefficient in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. Radiology 219:354-8