Neurocognitive outcome after endoscopic third ventriculocisterostomy in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAUREEN LACY ◽  
MARTIN OLIVEIRA ◽  
EMILY AUSTRIA ◽  
M. DAVID FRIM

AbstractObstructive hydrocephalus can be treated with an extracranial shunting system or, when the obstruction is between the posterior third ventricle and the fourth ventricular outflow tracts, by an endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV). The placement of an extracranial shunting device entails significant long-term risk of infection and malfunction. This risk has led to the concept that ETV is preferable to shunting. While the long-term cognitive performance of shunted hydrocephalus patients has been extensively examined, the outcome of patients undergoing ETV has been studied only sparsely. Ten adults who had undergone ETV were entered into the study under institutional review board approval. Each patient underwent a neuropsychological testing battery that included testing within the domains of basic attention, verbal memory, visual memory, language, and executive functioning. Aggregate test scores showed a decrease in performance in the domains of memory and executive functioning when compared to normative data. The present study revealed persistent cognitive inefficiencies in memory and executive domains in patients post-ETV intervention. A larger longitudinal study considering the impact of prior shunting, presence of headaches, emotional status, and surgical complications will assist in elucidating the etiology and eventual treatment of these deficits. (JINS, 2009, 15, 394–398.)

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zoccola ◽  
Ann B Shuttleworth-Edwards ◽  
Sarah E Radloff

The objective of this study was to investigate players of club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) over one rugby season, for signs of residual cognitive dysfunction due to repeated concussive events incurred during long-term participation in the sport. Adult male players of club level rugby, without a diagnosis of a concussion during the season ( n = 20), were compared with non-contact club level sports participants ( n = 22) of equivalent sex, age, education, and estimated IQ at pre-, mid-, and post-season intervals. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Statistical group comparisons revealed consistently poorer performance for rugby players compared with controls for ImPACT Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites at all test intervals, and for the Purdue Pegboard tasks at the first two test intervals. Repeat measures comparisons across the three test intervals demonstrated differential learning patterns between groups on ImPACT Visual Memory, ImPACT Reaction Time, and Purdue Both tasks, suggestive of cognitive vulnerability in the rugby group. Overall, the results reveal deleterious cognitive performance in adult club level rugby players relative to equivalent non-contact sports controls. The finding serves to endorse indications from other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Recommendations for further research and management of concussion in rugby players are discussed.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 640-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHELLI R. KESLER ◽  
RAMONA O. HOPKINS ◽  
LINDELL K. WEAVER ◽  
DUANE D. BLATTER ◽  
HOLLY EDGE-BOOTH ◽  
...  

Magnetic resonance (MR) images and neuropsychological testing data of 69 carbon monoxide (CO) poisoned patients were prospectively obtained within 1 day of CO poisoning, two weeks and six months. CO patients' Day 1 cross-sectional fornix surface area measurements, corrected for head size by using a fornix-to-brain ratio (FBR), were compared to normal age and gender-matched controls. Additionally, a within-subjects analysis was performed comparing the mean areas between CO patients' Day 1, 2 weeks and 6-month FBR. The FBR was correlated with patients' neuropsychological data. There were no significant differences between CO patients' Day 1 fornix measurements compared to normal control subjects. However, significant atrophic changes in the fornix of CO poisoned patients occurred at two weeks with no progressive atrophy at 6 months. By 6 months, CO patients showed significant decline on tests of verbal memory (when practice effects were taken into account), whereas visual memory, processing speed and attention/concentration did not decline. This study indicates that CO results in brain damage and cognitive impairments in the absence of lesions and other neuroanatomic markers. (JINS, 2001, 7, 640–646.)


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sascha Kreuer ◽  
Andreas Biedler ◽  
Reinhard Larsen ◽  
Simone Altmann ◽  
Wolfram Wilhelm

Background The Narcotrend is a new electroencephalographic monitor designed to measure depth of anesthesia, based on a six-letter classification from A (awake) to F (increasing burst suppression) including 14 substages. This study was designed to investigate the impact of Narcotrend monitoring on recovery times and propofol consumption in comparison to Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring or standard anesthetic practice. Methods With institutional review board approval and written informed consent, 120 adult patients scheduled to undergo minor orthopedic surgery were randomized to receive a propofol-remifentanil anesthetic controlled by Narcotrend, by BIS(R), or solely by clinical parameters. Anesthesia was induced with 0.4 micro x kg-1 x min-1 remifentanil and a propofol target-controlled infusion at 3.5 microg/ml. After intubation, remifentanil was reduced to 0.2 micro x kg-1 x min-1, whereas the propofol infusion was adjusted according to clinical parameters or to the following target values: during maintenance to D(0) (Narcotrend) or 50 (BIS); 15 min before the end of surgery to C(1) (Narcotrend) or 60 (BIS). Recovery times were recorded by a blinded investigator, and average normalized propofol consumption was calculated from induction and maintenance doses. Results The groups were comparable for demographic data, duration of anesthesia, and mean remifentanil dosages. Compared with standard practice, patients with Narcotrend or BIS monitoring needed significantly less propofol (standard practice, 6.8 +/- 1.2 mg x kg-1 x h-1 vs. Narcotrend, 4.5 +/- 1.1 mg x kg-1 x h-1 or BIS(R), 4.8 +/- 1.0 mg x kg-1 x h-1; P < 0.001), opened their eyes earlier (9.3 +/- 5.2 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.2 or 3.5 +/- 2.9 min), and were extubated sooner (9.7 +/- 5.3 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.2 or 4.1 +/- 2.9 min). Conclusions The results indicate that Narcotrend and BIS monitoring are equally effective to facilitate a significant reduction of recovery times and propofol consumption when used for guidance of propofol titration during a propofol-remifentanil anesthetic.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 2319-2324 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Elbin ◽  
Philip Schatz ◽  
Tracey Covassin

Background: The ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) neurocognitive testing battery is a popular assessment tool used for concussion management. The stability of the baseline neurocognitive assessment is important for accurate comparisons between postconcussion and baseline neurocognitive performance. Psychometric properties of the recently released online version of ImPACT have yet to be established; therefore, research evaluating the reliability of this measure is warranted. Purpose: The authors investigated the 1-year test-retest reliability of the ImPACT online version in a sample of high school athletes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4 Methods: A total of 369 varsity high school athletes completed 2 mandatory preseason baseline cognitive assessments approximately 1 year apart as required by their respective athletics program. No diagnosed concussion occurred between assessments. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ImPACT online indicated that motor processing speed (.85) was the most stable composite score, followed by reaction time (.76), visual memory (.70), and verbal memory (.62). Unbiased estimates of reliability were consistent with ICCs: motor processing speed (.85), reaction time (.76), visual memory (.71), and verbal memory (.62). Conclusion: The online ImPACT baseline is a stable measure of neurocognitive performance across a 1-year time period for high school athletes. These reliability data for online ImPACT are higher than the 2-year ICCs previously reported from the desktop version. Clinical Relevance: It is recommended that the ImPACT baseline assessment (both desktop and online) continue to be updated every 2 years. The online version of ImPACT appears to be a stable measure of neurocognitive performance over a 1-year period, and systematic evaluation of its stability over a 2-year period is warranted.


2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 1263-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Little ◽  
Kris A. Smith ◽  
Kristin Kirlin ◽  
Leslie C. Baxter ◽  
Steve Chung ◽  
...  

Object The authors introduce a minimal-access subtemporal approach for selective resection of the amygdala and hippocampus in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and describe seizure and neuropsychological outcomes. Methods Between October 2003 and April 2007, 41 consecutive patients with intractable unilateral nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy underwent image-guided subtemporal amygdalohippocampectomy. Baseline characteristics, preoperative evaluations, and seizure outcomes were assessed. Eighteen patients underwent pre- and postoperative neuropsychological testing for cognitive functioning, executive functioning, verbal and visual memory, and mood. Results Important aspects of the subtemporal approach include a low temporal keyhole craniotomy, use of image guidance, preservation of the tentorium, incision in the fusiform gyrus, and subpial, en bloc resection of the hippocampus. There were no deaths and no cases of significant postoperative morbidity. At 1 year, 29 of 36 patients (81%) were without seizures or auras. At 2 years, 17 of 23 (74%) patients were seizure- and aura-free. Detailed neuropsychological testing of language, memory, cognitive functioning, and executive functioning suggested that most patients exhibited either stability or improvement in their scores, regardless of language lateralization. Conclusions A minimal-access subtemporal approach for amygdalohippocampectomy is an effective treatment for temporal lobe epilepsy yielding encouraging preliminary seizure and neuropsychological outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596712110325
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Nickolas Dreher ◽  
Theodore Hannah ◽  
Adam Li ◽  
Nek Asghar ◽  
...  

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may affect concussion risk and recovery in youth athletes. Purpose: To evaluate the association between incidence of concussion and postinjury recovery of symptoms and neurocognitive dysfunction among youth athletes with ADHD and differential stimulant use. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: From 2009 to 2019, the authors administered the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) to youth athletes at the beginning of each season. Throughout the season, athletes with concussions were examined and readministered the ImPACT both postinjury and again 7 days after the postinjury administration. These athletes (N = 7453) were divided into those with ADHD on stimulant-based therapy (ADHD+meds; n = 167), those with ADHD not on stimulant-based therapy (ADHD-only; n = 354), and those with no ADHD (non-ADHD; n = 6932). Recovery of neurocognitive dysfunction at postinjury and follow-up was calculated using the ImPACT symptom score, verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor skills, and reaction time (calculated as standardized deviations from baseline). Univariate results were confirmed with multivariate analysis. Results: The ADHD+meds cohort had a lower incidence of concussion (37.3 concussions per 100 patient-years) compared with the ADHD-only group (57.0 concussions per 100 patient-years) (odds ratio [OR], 0.51 [95% CI, 0.37-0.71]; P < .0001) and non-ADHD group (52.8 concussions per 100 patient-years) (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.37-0.67]; P < .0001). At postinjury, ImPACT scores were elevated from baseline to a similar extent in the ADHD+meds cohort compared with the other 2 groups. By follow-up, however, deviations from baseline were lower among the ADHD+meds group compared with the non-ADHD group in verbal memory (OR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.28-0.76]; P = .002), visual memory (OR, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.10-0.66]; P = .005), and visual motor skills (OR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.33-0.99]; P = .048). The deviation at follow-up was also lower among the ADHD+meds group compared with the ADHD-only group in visual memory (OR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.33-0.96]; P = .04) and visual motor skills (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.22-0.81]; P = .01). Conclusion: Stimulant use among youth athletes with ADHD was independently associated with reduced incidence for concussion and lower deviation from baseline in verbal memory, visual memory, and visual motor skills at 7 days postconcussion, suggesting lower neurocognitive impairment at follow-up in this group versus their peers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 958-958
Author(s):  
N Nemanim ◽  
C Hinkin ◽  
E Singer

Abstract Objective Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. are infected with HIV (HIV+), many of whom use stimulants. Recent meta-analytical work supports differing neurocognitive profiles associated with methamphetamine and cocaine use in seronegative individuals, especially in the domain of memory. Both substances are associated with deficits in verbal working memory, while only methamphetamine is associated with deficits in delayed contextual verbal memory and delayed visual memory. This study serves to replicate these findings amongst an HIV+ sample. Methods The performance of 88 HIV+ cocaine users and 49 HIV+ methamphetamine users were compared on the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised. Participants were actively enrolled in National Neurological AIDS Bank and over the age of 18. Chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to compare group equivalence. Groups differed on gender and race but not on age, virologic variables, or education. ANOVA and Independent T-tests were used to compare performance. Results Both groups exhibited deficits on visual, verbal, and delayed verbal memory tasks but differences between the two groups were not significant (p>.05). Methamphetamine users performed significantly worse than cocaine users on the delayed visual memory task (F (1,131) = 9.27, p = .003, η² = .066). Conclusions Consistent with findings in seronegative individuals, HIV+ methamphetamine users performed more poorly than cocaine users on tasks involving delayed visual memory. However, this study did not replicate findings involving delayed verbal memory. Further work is necessary to understand the impact of methamphetamine and cocaine use in HIV+ individuals.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. E240-E241
Author(s):  
Benjamin K Hendricks ◽  
Robert F Spetzler

Abstract This patient had a large left ventral thalamic cavernous malformation abutting the third ventricle with evidence of recent hemorrhage. The patient was placed supine with the head in the horizontal position with the dependent hemisphere down to permit use of the anterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach. The lateral ventricle is entered, and the septum pellucidum is opened to prevent it from obstructing the surgical field. The deep cavernous malformation is located with stereotactic neuronavigation and removed piecemeal with the aid of lighted suckers and bipolars. Surgical visualization and postoperative imaging demonstrate a complete resection of the lesion, and the patient remained neurologically stable postoperatively. The patient gave informed consent for surgery and video recording. Institutional review board approval was deemed unnecessary. Used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 305-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Seliger ◽  
Carrington R. Wendell ◽  
Shari R. Waldstein ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
Alan B. Zonderman

Background: Renal disease has been associated with greater risk of dementia and greater cognitive impairment. However, the relationship of lower renal function with long-term decline in specific domains of cognitive function remains unclear among community-dwelling, non-demented individuals. Methods: Stroke- and dementia-free participants (n = 2,116) were enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a community-based, prospective, longitudinal study. Renal function was estimated by the inverse of serum creatinine adjusted for age, sex and race and (in sensitivity analyses) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the MDRD formula. Outcome measures were changes in scores on 6 cognitive tests encompassing a range of cognitive functions, measured at 2-year intervals. Mixed-effects regression models examined the longitudinal relations of renal function with cognitive functions after adjusting for demographics, comorbidity and other potential confounders. Results: Mean age at initial testing was 53.9 years (SD 17.1), and 94 participants (4.4%) had an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 18.5% had at least one comorbidity. With increasing age, longitudinal increases in creatinine concentrations were associated with more rapid decline in performance on several cognitive measures, including the learning slope of the California Verbal Learning Test, a test of verbal learning (p < 0.01), and the Benton Visual Retention Test, a test of visual memory (p < 0.01). Associations were similar for changes in eGFRMDRD, which was also associated with the rate of decline in verbal memory. Conclusion: In a community-based adult population, declines in renal function independently associated with greater long-term declines in visual memory and verbal memory and learning.


2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742096981
Author(s):  
Yolanda Cañada ◽  
Ana Sabater ◽  
Pilar Sierra ◽  
Vicent Balanzá-Martínez ◽  
Michael Berk ◽  
...  

Objective: Neurocognitive dysfunction is a common feature of bipolar disorder even in euthymia, and psychopharmacological treatment could have an effect on cognition. Long-term prescription of benzodiazepines in bipolar disorder is a common practice, and their effect on neurocognition has not been well studied in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of concomitant benzodiazepine long-term use on neurocognitive function in stable euthymic bipolar disorder patients. Methods: Seventy-three euthymic bipolar disorder outpatients and 40 healthy individuals were assessed using a neurocognitive battery. Patients were classified in two groups according to the presence of benzodiazepines in their treatment: the benzodiazepine group ( n = 34) and the non- benzodiazepine group ( n = 39). Neurocognitive performance was compared between the groups using a multivariate analysis of covariance, considering age, number of depressive episodes, adjuvant antipsychotic drugs, Young Mania Rating Scale score and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score as covariates. Results: Both bipolar disorder groups (benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine) showed an impairment in memory domains (Immediate Visual Memory [ p = 0.013], Working Memory [ p < 0.001], and Letter-Number Sequence [ p < 0.001] from the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised-III) and slower processing speed functions (Stroop Colour [ p < 0.001]) relative to the control group. Nevertheless, the benzodiazepine group showed a greater impairment in executive functions (Conceptual Level Responses [ p = 0.024] from the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Frontal Assessment Battery [ p = 0.042]). Conclusion: Although memory and processing speed impairments were found in bipolar disorder, regardless of their benzodiazepine treatment, benzodiazepine users presented additional neurocognitive impairments in terms of executive functioning. These findings support restricted prescription of benzodiazepines in individuals with bipolar disorder.


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