Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Use of an Eight-arm Radial Water Maze to Assess Working and Reference Memory Following Neonatal Brain Injury
Published on: December 4, 2013
[Formula: see text]Working memory outcomes following unilateral arterial ischemic stroke in childhood
Amanda Fuentes1,2, Robyn Westmacott2, Angela Deotto1
1a Department of Psychology , York University , Toronto , Canada.
Insights
Children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) show impaired working memory (WM) compared to peers. Parent reports also indicate higher WM dysfunction rates in pediatric AIS survivors, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Limited research exists on working memory (WM) deficits in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) survivors.
- Understanding cognitive outcomes like WM is crucial for this population.
- Pediatric AIS can impact brain development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare working memory (WM) patterns in children with and without a history of unilateral pediatric AIS.
- To identify the prevalence of WM impairment in pediatric AIS survivors.
- To investigate parent-reported WM dysfunction in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Baddeley and Hitch's multi-component WM model.
- Assessed 32 children (aged 6-14) with unilateral AIS and 32 age-matched controls.
- Collected performance-based and parent-report data on WM functioning.
Main Results:
- Children with pediatric AIS demonstrated significantly compromised WM compared to controls.
- Parent reports confirmed higher rates of WM dysfunction in the AIS group (50%) versus controls (15.63%).
- Performance-based measures showed impairment in 31.25%-38.70% of AIS children versus 0%-21.88% of controls.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric AIS is associated with significant working memory (WM) impairments.
- WM challenges may be subtle and go undetected without specific assessment and monitoring.
- Continued follow-up is recommended for pediatric AIS survivors at risk for WM deficits.
Abstract:
There is a dearth of research examining working memory (WM) following pediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). This study assesses the WM patterns of 32 children, aged 6 to 14 years, with a history of unilateral AIS and 32 controls using a paradigm based on Baddeley and Hitch's multi-component WM model. The results indicate compromised WM in children with AIS relative to controls and parent reports confirm higher rates of dysfunction. Supplementary analyses of impairment confirm higher rates in children with AIS, ranging from 31.25% to 38.70% on performance-based measures and 50.00% on parent reports, compared to 0.00% to 21.88% on performance-based measures in controls and 15.63% on parent reports. Continual follow-up is recommended given that a subset of children with stroke appear to be at risk for WM impairment. Moreover, the subtle nature of WM challenges experienced by many children who have experienced a stroke increases the likelihood that WM impairment could go undetected. The long-term trajectories of WM in the pediatric stroke population remains unknown and future studies are needed to track changes in WM functioning over time.
More Related Videos
09:11Performing Permanent Distal Middle Cerebral with Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in Aged Rats to Study Cortical Ischemia with Sustained Disability
Published on: February 23, 2016
07:56Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats
Published on: April 21, 2017
