Mental retardation in muscular dystrophy: A study from Catania, Italy, with a review of the literature

The clinical features of 53 patients with muscular dystrophy, representing the experience of the University of Catania, Italy, during the period 1980-1992, are reviewed with respect to the question of mental retardation in muscular dystrophy. Mental retardation was found in 9 of 40 (22.5%)) of the patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but in only 1 of 13 (7.8%) of those with Becker muscular dystrophy. Illness course, degree of mental retardation, and certain ancillary studies are reviewed. The data support the notion that differences in the frequency of mental retardation between Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies have a genetic basis. The literature is briefly reviewed, with some emphasis on recent findings in the molecular biology of muscular dystrophy pertinent to the issue of mental retardation in these patients.