A study co-authored by Postdoctoral Scholar Dan Liu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., and colleagues analyzed data from 455 children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder linked to cognitive and behavioral challenges. Research aimed to better understand how attention difficulties relate to emotional and behavioral outcomes across different developmental periods.

The findings show that both inattention and hyperactivity are closely tied to higher levels of internalizing problems, such as anxiety and depression, as well as externalizing behaviors like aggression and rule breaking. Notably, the link between hyperactivity and externalizing behaviors was strongest in early childhood, while other links remained similar across ages. 

These results highlight attention difficulties as an early signal of broader mental health risks in children with NF1. Early identification and ongoing support, especially for those with a family history of NF1, may help improve outcomes across development.