Motor function under lower and higher controlled processing demands in early and continuously treated phenylketonuria
article
This study examined motor control in 61 early and continuously treated patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and 69 control participants, aged 7 to 14 years. The pursuit task demanded concurrent planning and execution of unpredictable movements, whereas the tracking task required a highly automated circular movement that could be planned in advance. PKU patients showed significantly poorer motor control in both tasks compared with control participants. Deficits were particularly observed for younger patients (age < 11 years). Differences between control participants and PKU patients were significantly greater in the pursuit task compared with the tracking task, indicating more serious deficits when a higher level of controlled processing is required. Correlations with historical phenylalanine levels indicated a later maturation of the level of control required by the pursuit task compared with the tracking task. Chemicals/CAS: phenylalanine, 3617-44-5, 63-91-2; Phenylalanine, 63-91-2
Topics
amino acid blood levelbrain maturationcentral nervous system functionchildcontrolled studyeye trackinghumaninformation processingmajor clinical studymotor controlmotor dysfunctionmotor performanceplanningprefrontal cortexpursuit tasktask performanceworking memoryAdolescentAge FactorsCase-Control StudiesChildFemaleHumansMaleMotor SkillsNeuropsychological TestsPhenylalaninePhenylketonuriasPsychomotor PerformanceReaction TimeTask Performance and Analysis
TNO Identifier
237153
ISSN
08944105
Source
Neuropsychology, 17(3), pp. 369-379.
Pages
369-379
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