Abstract #1580

Devier D, Gasparovic C, Jung R, Campbell R, Morrison L, Tobon A

A tendency towards non-verbal learning disability is characteristic of Myotonic Dystrophy type I (DM1). This study explores the relationship between neurocognitive performance and brain metabolites measured across the temporal lobe with (1H-MRSI) in 7 patients with DM1and 9 healthy controls. In patients, we found significant correlations between Right Temporal NAA/Cr and delayed recall of the Rey Complex Figure and Facial Recognition subtests, both non-verbal memory tasks thought to measure right temporal lobe function. These findings support the notion of a non-verbal learning disability in patients with DM1 and provide insight into a possible biochemical mechanism.