Abstract: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder that associated with a spectrum of genetically based cognitive and behavioral disabilities. Several mechanisms have been discussed as the cause of cognitive impairment in patients with DMD: absence of different dystrophin isoforms, impairments in neurogenesis, changes of synaptic plasticity, blood-brain barrier alterations, brain metabolic differences, cerebellum disfunction, etc.

Key words: Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, cognitive impairment, dystrophin, synapse, blood-brain barrier, metabolism, cerebellum, review