Belgian Journal of Paediatrics
Understanding and Management of Neurobehavioral Difficulties in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Vol. 26 No. 3 (2024), Made in Belgium
Vol. 26 No. 3 (2024)

Understanding and Management of Neurobehavioral Difficulties in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: PhD thesis presented on 24-06-2024 at KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Made in Belgium
Published 2024-10-07
Sam Geuens
Department of Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
Liesbeth De Waele
Promoter, Department of Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Jurgen Lemiere
Co-promoter, Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
Nathalie Doorenweerd
Co-promoter, C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands
Nathalie Goemans
Co-promoter, Department of Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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Keywords

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
brain
corticosteroids
behavior

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How to Cite

Geuens, S., De Waele, L., Lemiere, J., Doorenweerd, N., & Goemans, N. (2024). Understanding and Management of Neurobehavioral Difficulties in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: PhD thesis presented on 24-06-2024 at KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Belgian Journal of Paediatrics, 26(3), 231–233. Retrieved from http://www.belgjpaediatrics.com/index.php/bjp/article/view/345
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Abstract

Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) face an increased risk to develop neurobehavioral problems linked to brain dystrophin deficiency. This PhD thesis explores the impact of corticosteroid treatment and genotype on brain morphology and their correlations with neurobehavioral outcomes. Using MRI, significant differences in gray matter volumes, subcortical volumes, and brain morphology were found between DMD patients treated daily with corticosteroids and those treated intermittently. Additionally, differences were observed based on genotypes. A new term, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Neurobehavioral Difficulties (DuMAND), and the DuMAND Checklist were introduced for systematic screening of neurobehavioral difficulties in DMD. Finally, clinical experiences with psychopharmaceuticals to treat severe neurobehavioral difficulties in DMD patients were investigated.

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