Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 400 African American newborns annually. The pathophysiology of this group of disorders involves the production of abnormal hemoglobin (HbS), which causes red blood cells to assume a rigid, sickled shape upon release of oxygen, thereby reducing their viability in circulation. Consequently, chronic anemia and system-wide ischemia result in acute painful episodes, organ system failure, and neurological complications. Among the most debilitating effects of SCD are neurological complications. Despite the mounting evidence for structural and functional involvement of the frontal systems in pediatric SCD, there have been no clinical trials designed to manage the cognitive and behavioral sequelae associated with pediatric SCD.
