Date of Award
August 2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Bonita P Klein-Tasman
Committee Members
Christine Larson, Hanjoo Lee, Amy Van Hecke, Christina Casnar
Abstract
Children with NF1 have difficulties with various aspects of attention, as well as executive functioning (Casnar & Klein-Tasman, 2017; Isenberg et al., 2013; North et al., 2002). While some children with NF1 have attention difficulties consistent with a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), many children with NF1 have difficulties that do not meet that threshold, yet still demonstrate marked difficulties with attentional and executive processes, such as sustained attention (Mautner et al., 2002) and planning (Hyman et al., 2005). Research in other populations, such as ADHD, has begun elucidating specific biomarkers of attention difficulties using electroencephalography (EEG) Event Related Potentials (ERPs). However, very few studies have used EEG methodology to examine the neural underpinnings of these attention difficulties in children with NF1. The goal of the present study was to demonstrate the feasibility and promise of EEG approaches with school age children with NF1 to identify potential biomarkers of attention problems. The present study was comprised of 2 studies: Study 1 examined differences on selected ERPs between children with NF1 (n=11) and matched unaffected children (i.e., matched on sex, age, and IQ; n=11) and explored relations between ERPs and behavioral indicators of attention problems in children with NF1. Study 2 examined differences on selected ERPs between children with NF1 (n=5) and children with idiopathic ADHD (n=5). All participants were 7 through 11-year-old children. To ascertain the ERPs of interest (i.e., N2, P3, ERN), all children completed a Flanker task and a Go/Nogo task, which are known to elicit the aforementioned ERP components. The N2 and P3 components are indices of visual selective attention to salient stimuli. Error-Related Negativity (ERN) appears in response to making an error of inhibition. In Study 1, no significant differences were found on the ERPs of interest between children with NF1 and matched unaffected children. Hierarchical models including age, IQ estimate, and select ERPs as predictors were statistically significant in predicting parent-report of inattention, as well as performance on a performance-based digits forward task. In Study 2, several differences between children with NF1 and children with idiopathic ADHD were identified on ERP indices, including P3 amplitude, ERN amplitude, and N2 latency. However, in some cases the ADHD group demonstrated more efficient processing, and in other instances, the NF1 group demonstrated more efficient processing. The findings of the present study suggest that compared to matched unaffected children, there are no differences in N2, P3, and ERN amplitude or latency in the school age period. However, based on relations found between the ERP measures and measures of attention, some ERP components may underpin attention difficulties in everyday life for children with NF1 as rated by parents, as well as on a performance-based measure. Overall, the present findings begin to help identify potential neural underpinnings that may be specific to NF1.
Recommended Citation
Pardej, Sara Katharine, "Neural Underpinnings of Attention in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Pilot Study" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 3610.
https://dc.uwm.edu/etd/3610