NF Midwest: Supporting Research in Neurofibromatosis

NF Midwest’s support for research of neurofibromatosis (NF) is crucial for advancing our understanding of the condition and developing better treatments and interventions. Recently, NF Midwest provided Dr. Bonnie Klein-Tasman and her team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee a grant to provide support in their study Neural Underpinnings of Attention in Children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Dr. Klein-Tasman and her team are interested in learning more about attention, in both behaviorally and neurologically, in children with NF 1. There is research to suggest that children with NF1 can experience an elevated rate of attention difficulties, however little is known about how they manifest and change over time.

Participants of the study will undergo cognitive test with and without electroencephalogram (EEG), and parents will be asked to complete a questionnaire about the child’s behavior and attention. Families who complete the session will receive a $40 gift card, a child’s book and a summary of the child’s performance on the developmental testing.

Participants are still needed for this study. To be eligible participants need to be between the ages of 7 and 11 who have been diagnosed with NF1, as well as those who have ADHD but do not have NF1. Participants must speak English as their first and primary language. To learn more about the study and how to register, please click the button below.

Research like this can contribute to the developing better strategies for diagnosing, treating, and managing attention deficits in children with NF1. It can also shed light on broader aspects of neurodevelopment and attention mechanisms that could have implications beyond this specific disorder.

NF Midwest’s grant to Dr. Bonnie Klein-Tasman’s team demonstrates the importance of collaboration between patient advocacy organizations, researchers, and healthcare professionals to improve the lives of individuals affected by NF1 and other related conditions. This kind of research has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many people and their families.

Thank you to all of those who have donated to fund crucial studies as this and many others.