Patterns of performance of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 on the K-CPT and K-CPT 2

ABSTRACT

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) often have attention difficulties with emerging evidence that these difficulties can be seen even in early childhood. This study aimed to explore the relative utility of two versions of a commonly used computerized attention measure for young children with NF1 and to explore relations with parent-reported attention in young children with NF1. Two independent samples of young children with NF1 participated. One sample (Study 1; N = 22; M_age = 4.95 (SD = 0.66)) completed the Conner’s Kiddie Continuous Performance Test (K-CPT). A second and separate sample (Study 2; N = 19; M_age = 5.46 (SD = 0.74)) completed the K-CPT second edition (K-CPT 2). Relations of the K-CPT and K-CPT 2 with concurrent parent-reported attention (Kiddie Disruptive Behavior Disorder Schedule; Conners parent report questionnaires) were explored. The K-CPT sample’s scores significantly differed from the normative median on Commissions, Hit Rate Standard Error, Variability, Detectability, Perseverations, and Hit Rate Inter Stimulus Interval. No relations with parent-report were identified. The K-CPT 2 sample’s scores were significantly worse than normative data on every score except Hit Rate Block Change. Multiple scores on the K-CPT 2 were significantly related to parent-report of inattention and hyperactivity with some evidence of construct validity for the distinction between inattention and hyperactivity. The K-CPT 2 may be more useful for the assessment of attention problems in young children with NF1 as more challenges were observed and performance was more closely related to parent-reported attention difficulties than its predecessor the K-CPT.

KEYWORDS:

• Neurofibromatosis 1
• attention
• preschool
• early childhood
• ADHD

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants and their families for participating in this research. The authors would like to thank Scott Hunter, James Tonsgard, Pamela Trapane, Dawn Siegel, Donald Basel, and Robert Listernick and the many wonderful genetic counselors who work with them for referring participants with NF1 for this research. We also acknowledge the Child Neurodevelopment Research Lab team for their work and collaboration in the laboratory.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the NF Midwest; NF MidAtlantic; NF Northeast; University of Chicago CTSA [UL1 RR024999]; and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Research Growth Initiative.