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Neuropsychological Functioning in Girls with Premature Adrenarche

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2011

A. Tissot ,
L.D. Dorn ,
D. Rotenstein ,
S.R. Rose ,
L.M. Sontag-Padilla ,
C.L. Jillard ,
S.F. Witchel ,
S.L. Berga ,
T.L. Loucks  and
S.R. Beers
A. Tissot*
Affiliation:
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
L.D. Dorn
Affiliation:
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
D. Rotenstein
Affiliation:
Pediatric Alliance, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
S.R. Rose
Affiliation:
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
L.M. Sontag-Padilla
Affiliation:
RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
C.L. Jillard
Affiliation:
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
S.F. Witchel
Affiliation:
Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh Medical School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
S.L. Berga
Affiliation:
Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
T.L. Loucks
Affiliation:
Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
S.R. Beers
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Abbigail Tissot, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, ML 4000, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039. E-mail: abbigail.tissot@cchmc.org
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Abstract

Contemporary research indicates that brain development occurs during childhood and into early adulthood, particularly in certain regions. A critical question is whether premature or atypical hormone exposures impact brain development (e.g., structure) or function (e.g., neuropsychological functioning). The current study enrolled 40 girls (aged 6–8 years) diagnosed with premature adrenarche (PA) and a comparison group of 36 girls with on-time maturation. It was hypothesized that girls with PA would demonstrate lower IQ and performance on several neuropsychological tasks. The potential for a sexually dimorphic neuropsychological profile in PA was also explored. No significant univariate or multivariate group differences emerged for any neuropsychological instrument. However, effect size confidence intervals contained medium-sized group differences at the subscale level. On-time girls performed better on verbal, working memory, and visuospatial tasks. Girls with PA showed improved attention, but not a sexually dimorphic profile. These results, though preliminary, suggest that premature maturation may influence neuropsychological functioning. (JINS, 2012, 18, 151–156)

Keywords

PubertyEndocrine system diseasesAdrenal cortex hormonesNeuropsychological testsSexual developmentSex characteristics
Type
Brief Communications
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 18 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 151 - 156
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2011

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