Title
Sustained attention and inhibition of cognitive interference in treated phenylketonuria: Associations with concurrent and lifetime phenylalanine concentrations
Author
Huijbregts, S.C.J.
de Sonneville, L.M.J.
Licht, R.
van Spronsen, F.J.
Verkerk, P.H.
Sergeant, J.A.
Publication year
2002
Abstract
Fifty-seven 7-14-year-old early- and continuously treated phenylketonuria (PKU) patients and 65 matched controls performed a sustained attention task. PKU patients with plasma phenylalanine (phe) levels higher than 360 μmol/l at the time of testing exhibited, compared to controls, lower speed of information processing, a lower ability to inhibit task-induced cognitive interference, less consistent performance, and a stronger decrease of performance level over time. Patients with concurrent phe levels lower than 360 μmol/l did not differ from controls and were significantly better than patients with levels higher than 360 μmol/l. Strong relationships were found with task performance for phe levels during the pre-school years and between ages 5 and 7. These correlations were stronger than those between concurrent phe level and task performance. Significant multiple regression models were found with age accounting for the largest proportion of variance of tempo and tempo fluctuation, and lifetime phe levels (particularly phe level between ages 5 and 7) accounting for the largest proportion of variance of the relative number of inhibition errors and its increase over time. Phe level between ages 5 and 7 also contributed significantly to the variance of tempo and tempo fluctuation. Neuropsychological outcome was independent of IQ. The results indicate that strict dietary adherence during these periods is beneficial to attentional control later in life. We suggest that phe levels should be maintained under 360 μmol/l until approximately age 12, when development of attentional control approaches an adult level. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. Chemicals/CAS: Phenylalanine, 63-91-2
Subject
Health
Cognitive development
Executive function
PKU
Phenylalanine
Adult
Age
Aged
Attention
Attention deficit disorder
Child
Cognition
Controlled study
Correlation function
Information processing
Intelligence quotient
Lifespan
Major clinical study
Neuropsychology
Protein blood level
Protein restriction
Task performance
Adolescent
Age Factors
Analysis of Variance
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Child
Cognition Disorders
Female
Humans
Male
Phenylalanine
Phenylketonurias
Reaction Time
Regression Analysis
Task Performance and Analysis
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http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:71d34e74-b6ef-4d4c-8bff-a43c7c6dd008
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0028-3932(01)00078-1
TNO identifier
236419
ISSN
0028-3932
Source
Neuropsychologia, 40 (1), 7-15
Document type
article