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Abstract:
Abstract: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neurogenetic
developmental disorder that is caused by a mutation in a single
gene which results in the absence of specific isoforms that
normally localize to the CNS. Boys with DMD present with a wide
range of intellectual function and selective verbal deficits. The
current study examined verbal and memory skills more thoroughly in
boys with DMD and their unaffected siblings. 20 boys with DMD and
their sibling controls of similar age and estimated verbal IQ were
administered the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals
(CELF) and the Children's California Verbal Learning Test (CCVLT).
On the CELF, the DMD group scored significantly more poorly
(p<.01) than their siblings on the "Concepts and Directions"
and "Recalling Sentences" subtests, but did not differ on the other
subtests. No differences were observed between the two groups on
various measures of the CCVLT. These findings highlight the
selective nature of the verbal deficits associated with DMD.
Subjects with DMD were able to learn and recall a list of words,
identify words that categorically go together, name multiple items
in semantic categories, and correctly answer questions about a
paragraph they had heard. However, when asked to listen to and
follow directions or repeat back sentences, they were unable to do
this accurately. These findings suggest that immediate phonological
store may be limited in children with DMD.
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