Memory difficulties of adult patients with shunted hydrocephalus: a clinical study
Abstract
AIm: The purpose of this prospective study was to describe memory problems of adult patients with hydrocephalus.
Ma terIal and Methods: The research group consisted of healthy adults (control group) and hydrocephlic adults (hydrocephalus group).
The hydrocephalus group (n: 19) had no clinical signs or symptoms of increased intracerebral pressure. The control group (n:20) was chosen
from healthy adults. Both groups were evaluated by an experienced neuro-psychologist blinded to the groups. The examiner performed a
battery of three different neuropsychological tests (Raven Standart Progressive Matrices, RSPM; Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, RCFT; and
Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test, AVLT) to all groups.
Results: Almost all subtest scores of the AVLT and RCFT remained significant after the RSPM scores were controlled. Almost all
neuropsychological test results of the hydrocephalus group were significantly worse than control group.
ConclusIon: This prospective study showed that adult patients with hydrocephalus have serious problems in memory function which
might be directly caused by the hydrocephalus.