Neuromuscular Diseases Affect Number Representation and Processing: An Exploratory Study

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne dystrophy (DMD) both are rare genetic neuromuscular diseases with progressive loss of motor ability. The neuromotor developmental course those is well documented. In contrast, there only little evidence about characteristics general specific cognitive development. conditions the final outcome characterized by an inability to move autonomously: children SMA never accomplish independent motoric exploration their environment, while DMD do but later lose this ability again. These profound differences in pathways might affect development vs. children, as cognition shaped individual experiences. patients show impaired executive functions, working memory, verbal IQ, whereas seems be SMA. Advanced capacity may serve a compensatory mechanism for achieving education, career progression, social satisfaction. This study aimed relate basic numerical concepts arithmetic achievement resulting sensorimotor environmental Horizontal vertical spatial-numerical associations were explored SMA/DMD ranging between 6 12 years through random number generation task. Furthermore, skills assessed. Groups differed spatial processing domain-general functions. Children showed no horizontal even reversed associations. on other hand revealed patterns comparable healthy developing children. From embodied Cognition perspective, early experience does play role mental representations. However, it remains open whether how becomes relevant acquisition higher order skills.