Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40542360›Full record

SynthesisOrphanet journal of rare diseases2025

Intelligence quotient scores among early-treated phenylketonuria patients: results from a systematic literature review.

Fiona O'Sullivan, Ioannis Tomazos, Francjan J van Spronsen, Shelagh M Szabo, Maanasa Venkataraman, Lavanya Huria, Neil Smith, Lachlan Molony, Kim Ingalls, Kathleen Somera-Molina and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Fiona O'SullivanBroadstreet HEOR, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Ioannis TomazosPTC Therapeutics Inc, Warren, NJ, USA. ytomazos@ptcbio.com.ORCID 0000-0003-0290-4583
Francjan J van SpronsenBeatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
Shelagh M SzaboBroadstreet HEOR, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Maanasa VenkataramanBroadstreet HEOR, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Lavanya HuriaBroadstreet HEOR, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Neil SmithPTC Therapeutics Inc, Warren, NJ, USA.
Lachlan MolonyPTC Therapeutics Inc, Warren, NJ, USA.
Kim IngallsPTC Therapeutics Inc, Warren, NJ, USA.
Kathleen Somera-MolinaPTC Therapeutics Inc, Warren, NJ, USA.
Rongrong ZhangPTC Therapeutics Sweden AB, Askim, Sweden.
Cary O HardingDepartment of Molecular and Medical Genetics and Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

Funding

PTC Therapeutics, Inc
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare condition that causes the accumulation of phenylalanine; without prompt diagnosis and treatment following birth, severe neurologic and cognitive impairments occur. While dietary management can help reduce Phe levels, adherence is challenging and deficits in cognitive function often remain. The importance of the exact features of dietary management, treatment, and control at different time points with respect to eventual IQ scores has not been established. The objective of the present study was to review and describe published data on the impact of PKU on cognition as measured by IQ among PKU patients receiving early dietary management.

methodsA systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines to examine IQ among patients with PKU. Instruments used to assess IQ included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, Culture Fair Intelligence Test and Stanford Binet Test. Results were reported overall and by subgroups.

resultsTwenty-five out of 28 identified studies could be included in the review. Lower IQ scores were generally observed among those with high phenylalanine levels, although variations in the study populations hinder the ability to make comparisons. Mean IQ scores among those with PKU were consistently lower compared to control groups. Even though all patients in this review received early treatment, those with poor dietary adherence and higher phenylalanine levels tended to show poorer cognitive ability.

conclusionsCognition is affected in PKU, despite early and continuous dietary management. Treatments are needed that reduce phenylalanine levels so that the burden of neurocognitive impairment in PKU can be alleviated.

Indexed as

IntelligencePhenylketonuriasCognitionHumansIntelligence TestsPhenylalaninePhenylalanineAdherenceDietIQPhenylketonuriaPKU

Identifiers

PMID40542360
PMCPMC12181871

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.