Implicit learning deficit in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Evidence for a cerebellar cognitive impairment?

PLoS One. 2018 Jan 16;13(1):e0191164. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191164. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing implicit sequence learning in individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy without intellectual disability and age-matched typically developing children. A modified version of the Serial Reaction Time task was administered to 32 Duchenne children and 37 controls of comparable chronological age. The Duchenne group showed a reduced rate of implicit learning even if in the absence of global intellectual disability. This finding provides further evidence of the involvement of specific aspects of cognitive function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and on its possible neurobiological substrate.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cerebellum / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / complications*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology
  • Learning Disabilities / complications*
  • Learning Disabilities / physiopathology
  • Learning Disabilities / psychology*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / complications*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / physiopathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / psychology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.