Executive functions & metabolic control in phenylketonuria (PKU) and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA)

Abstract

Background: Due to newborn screening and early treatment, patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) and mild hyperphenylalaninemia (mHPA) develop largely normal, in terms of IQ testing and academic attainment. However, the impact of metabolic control in various stages of development on more complex cognitive abilities, i.e. executive functions (EF), is still unclear.

Methods: EFs were tested in 28 patients with PKU/mHPA, aged 8-17 years, identified by newborn screening and continuously treated. The relation to current (testing day & past 10 phenylalanine (Phe) values) and long-term metabolic control (age periods: childhood <6, 6-10, adolescence >10 years, lifetime Phe) was analyzed.

Results: EFs were in the lower normative range (IQR of T-values: 47.35-51.00). Patients reaction time was significantly slower than the population mean (divided attention/TAP: median 40, p < 0.01). Both, long-term and current metabolic control correlated with performance in EF tests: Higher current Phe impaired reaction times (Go/No-Go, r = -0.387; working memory, r = -0.425; p < 0.05) and performance in planning ability (ToL r = -0.465, p < 0.01). Higher long-term Phe values both in childhood and adolescence mainly affected attention (omissions/TAP r = -0.357 and - 0.490, respectively, both p < 0.05) as well as planning ability (ToL r = -0.422 and - 0.387, adolescence and lifetime, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Current and long-term metabolic control in PKU/mHPA, including the adolescent period, influence EFs, especially affecting reaction time and planning abilities. This should be taken into account in patient counselling.

Keywords: Children; Dietary treatment; Executive functions; Metabolic control; Phenylketonuria.