A comprehensive meta-analysis led by Professor Yang Hou, Ph.D., and DEaR Lab postdoctoral scholars Liyan Yu and Dan Liu, finds that individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves in the body, experience significantly lower visuospatial and visuomotor abilities compared to those without the condition. 

Drawing from 70 studies and data on more than 6,600 participants, the research showed that these deficits are especially pronounced in children, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. 

The results have implications for academic, psychological, and physical outcomes, and highlight the need for tailored support strategies and further research into how these challenges evolve over time.