Auditory temporal processing deficits and language disorders in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1

Pollyanna Barros Batista; Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos; Luiz Oswaldo Carneiro Rodrigues; Nilton Alves de Rezende

doi:10.1016/j.jcomdis.2013.12.002

Auditory temporal processing deficits and language disorders in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1

J Commun Disord. 2014 Mar-Apr:48:18-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2013.12.002. Epub 2014 Jan 3.

Authors

Pollyanna Barros Batista¹, Stela Maris Aguiar Lemos², Luiz Oswaldo Carneiro Rodrigues³, Nilton Alves de Rezende⁴

Affiliations

¹ Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
² Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Clinical Coordinator at the Neurofibromatosis Outpatient Reference Center (NFRC), Dermatology Service, Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁴ Clinical Director of NFRC, Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: narezende@terra.com.br.

PMID: 24447521
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2013.12.002

Abstract

Previous findings from a case report led to the argument of whether other patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may have abnormal central auditory function, particularly auditory temporal processing. We hypothesized that it is associated with language and learning disabilities in this population. The aim of this study was to measure central auditory temporal function in NF1 patients and correlate it with the results of language evaluation tests. A descriptive/comparative study including 25 NF1 individuals and 22 healthy controls compared their performances on audiometric evaluation and auditory behavioral testing (Sequential Verbal Memory, Sequential Non-Verbal Memory, Frequency Pattern, Duration Pattern, and Gaps in Noise Tests). To assess language performance, two tests (phonological and syntactic awareness) were also conducted. The study showed that all participants had normal peripheral acoustic hearing. Differences were found between the NF1 and control groups in the temporal auditory processing tests [Sequential Verbal Memory (P=0.009), Sequential Non-Verbal Memory (P=0.028), Frequency Patterns (P=0.001), Duration Patterns (P=0.000), and Gaps in Noise (P=0.000)] and in language tests. The results of Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated the presence of positive correlations between the phonological awareness test and Frequency Patterns humming (r=0.560, P=0.001), Frequency Patterns labeling (r=0.415, P=0.022) and Duration Pattern humming (r=0.569, P=0.001). These results suggest that the neurofibromin deficiency found in NF1 patients is associated with auditory temporal processing deficits, which may contribute to the cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, and attention deficits that are common in this disorder.

Learning outcomes: The reader will be able to: (1) describe the auditory temporal processing in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1; and (2) describe the impact of the auditory temporal deficits in language in this population.

Keywords: Auditory temporal processing; Cognitive deficits; Hearing disorders; Language; Learning disabilities; Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Audiometry
Case-Control Studies
Child
Female
Hearing / physiology
Hearing Disorders / etiology*
Hearing Disorders / physiopathology
Humans
Language Disorders / etiology*
Language Disorders / physiopathology
Language Tests
Male
Memory Disorders / etiology*
Memory Disorders / physiopathology
Neurofibromatosis 1 / complications*
Neurofibromatosis 1 / physiopathology
Neuropsychological Tests
Young Adult