Neuropsychologic and adaptive functioning in adolescents and young adults shunted for congenital hydrocephalus

The major aim of this study was to assess whether the syndrome of nonverbal learning disabilities described in hydrocephalic children is observed in adulthood. Eleven adults shunted for congenital hydrocephalus related to spina bifida and eight adults shunted for hydrocephalus related to aqueductal stenosis were administered an extensive neuropsychologic battery to investigate discrepancies between verbal and visuospatial cognition, verbal and visuospatial long-term memory, and psycho-social adaptive abilities. The results showed no discrepancies between Wechsler Performance IQ or Verbal IQ in either hydrocephalic group. Nevertheless, the subjects with spina bifida appeared more cognitively impaired than the subjects with aqueductal stenosis, who performed normally on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Memory assessment using Signoret's Memory Battery revealed no discrepancy between verbal and visuospatial memory in the hydrocephalic group. Nevertheless, the subjects with spina bifida had poorer verbal and visuospatial memory performance than the subjects with aqueductal stenosis. There were no differences on the Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scale between subjects with spina bifida and those with aqueductal stenosis in autonomy, socialization, and daily living skills. These results suggest that shunted congenital hydrocephalus is not characterized by nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome in adolescence or in adulthood.