NF 1 is most common in about 90% of cases. It has a disorder frequency of 1 in 3,000 making it more common than NF 2, with a frequency of 1 in 45,000. Neurofibromatosis occurs following the mutation of neurofibromin on chromosome 17q11.2. Neurofibromin is a tumor suppressor gene whose function is to inhibit the p21 ras oncoprotein.
Inheritance of genetics:
NF-1 and NF-2 may be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, as well as through random mutation. An unaffected parent will have a 50-100% chance of inheriting the disorder, if one parent has NF-1 or NF-2 and one is not affected. Also children with NF-1 have 200-500 times the normal risk of developing leukemia compared to the general population.