Right-hemisphere function in hydrocephalic children

Neuropsychologia
|January 1, 1985
PubMed

Insights

Hydrocephalic children show visual processing deficits, specifically impacting right-hemisphere function. This study suggests these deficits may stem from differences in brain sensitivity and cortical thinning.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Hydrocephalus can impact cognitive and visual processing.
  • Understanding right-hemisphere function is crucial for assessing developmental disorders.
  • Previous research indicates potential links between hydrocephalus and neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess right-hemisphere function in children with hydrocephalus.
  • To identify specific visual processing deficits in this population.
  • To explore the neurological underpinnings of observed perceptual asymmetries.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a divided visual field task with colour-naming and word-naming.
  • Employed a matching-to-sample manipulo-spatial task.
  • Compared performance between 28 hydrocephalic children and non-handicapped controls.

Main Results:

  • Hydrocephalic children exhibited a specific visual processing deficit.
  • No significant deficits were found in other assessed cognitive functions.
  • Perceptual asymmetries were observed, suggesting differential hemispheric involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Right-hemisphere visual processing is impaired in children with hydrocephalus.
  • Findings suggest potential links to regional cortical thinning and altered hemispheric sensitivity.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of these deficits.

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