Pilot study of a novel computerized task to assess spatial learning in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1

J Child Neurol. 2010 Oct;25(10):1195-202. doi: 10.1177/0883073809358454. Epub 2010 Feb 5.

Abstract

Difficulties with visual-spatial learning are frequently observed and often considered to be the hallmark of neurocognitive impairment in neurofibromatosis type 1. The computerized Arena Maze is a virtual environment task that has been developed as a human paradigm to the Morris Water Maze, which is used to evaluate spatial learning in animal models. The authors evaluated this task as a measure of spatial learning in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 compared with their unaffected siblings. Affected children were able to learn the task and navigate the virtual environment; however, they performed more poorly on standard measures of spatial learning and spatial working memory than their siblings. The group with neurofibromatosis type 1 demonstrated decreased proficiency in earlier target trials and had more difficulty in remembering target location. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a novel virtual task to assess spatial learning deficits in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Learning Disabilities / etiology
  • Learning Disabilities / psychology
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Memory Disorders / psychology
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / complications*
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / psychology
  • Pilot Projects
  • User-Computer Interface*