Neuropsychological approaches to treatment policy issues in phenylketonuria

Abstract

Neuropsychological research conducted so far on treatment factors in phenylketonuria suggests that dietary cessation at age 6 is too early. However, continuation of diet until age 10 appears to provide protection against subsequent hyperphenylalaninaemia in the domains of perception, memory and motor skill if concentrations remain at least below 1200 μmol/l thereafter. Levels in the range 360 μmol/l to 600 μmol/l appear to constitute a hazard for executive skill during the pre-school period but in the primary school years the risk diminishes. Levels above 900 μmol/l in early adolescence and adulthood may affect executive abilities adversely and the question remains whether such effects are reversible.

Conclusion Though scant, neuropsychological evidence does not seriously contradict current British and German recommendations for dietary control in phenylketonuria.