Neurocognitive Outcome in Children Who Suffered From Idiopathic Increased Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)

Altro: study group

patients with benign intracranial hypertension ages 8-16 years

Comportamentale: neurocognitive tests

Subjects will undergoe a battery of neurocognitive testing which will test memory, flexible thought process, problem, attention span

neurocognitive outcomes

The computerized battery of tests used in this study (testing time: 30 minutes) sampled non-verbal memory, executive function, visual spatial processing, attention, motor skills, problem solving, and information processing speed. Outcome parameters for tests or test levels included accuracy, reaction time (RT), standard deviation (SD) of RT, and a composite score ([accuracy/RT] · 100). Normalized subsets of outcome parameters were averaged to produce 7 summary scores. The outcome parameters contributing to each index score were included. The Global Cognitive Score (GCS) was computed as the average of the index scores.

Non-Verbal Memory

Eight pictures of simple geometric objects were presented, followed by a recognition test, in which 4 versions of each object were presented, each oriented in a different direction

Go-No Go Test

A series of large colored stimuli were presented at pseudorandom intervals. Participants were instructed to respond as quickly as possible by pressing a mouse button if the color of the stimulus was any color except red, for which no response was made

Stroop Interference

Participants were presented with a pair of large colored squares, one on the left and the other on the right side of the screen. In each phase, the participants were instructed to choose as quickly as possible which of the 2 squares was a particular color.

Visual Spatial Processing

Computer-generated scenes containing a red pillar were presented. Participants were instructed to imagine viewing the scene from the vantage point of the red pillar. Four alternative views of the scene were shown as choices

Staged Information Processing Speed

comprises 3 levels of information processing load: single digits, 2-digit arithmetic problems.For each of the 3 levels, stimuli were presented at 3 different fixed rates, incrementally increasing as testing continues.

cognitive domains

Participants had to "catch" a rectangular white object falling vertically from the top of the screen before it reached the bottom of the screen. Pressing on the mouse button moved a rectangular green "paddle" horizontally so that it could be positioned directly in the path of the falling object. The test required hand-eye coordination, scanning, and rapid responses

Problem Solving

Pictorial puzzles of gradually increasing difficulty were presented. Each puzzle consisted of a 2 · 2 array containing 3 black and white line drawings and a missing element. Participants had to choose the best fit for the fourth (missing) element of the puzzle from among 6 possible alternatives.