Memory deficit of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Several studies on intelligence of children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) found impairments in linguistic functions and memory. Memory deficit mainly involves long-term memory; short-term memory impairment was also present, even if less frequently. Some studies tried to establish a correlation between the distal deletion of the dystrophin gene and low intelligence levels. The present study investigated the neuropsychological performance in a group of DMD children (26 subjects); neuropsychological tests included: Wechsler intelligence scale for children-revised; Raven’s progressive matrices test; Rey’s complex figure test; memory and digit span tests; Benton’s visual retention form D.