title: Prospective, declarative, and nondeclarative memory in young adults with spina bifida.
abstract: The consequences of congenital brain disorders for adult cognitive function are poorly understood. We studied different forms of memory in 29 young adults with spina bifida meningomyelocele (SBM), a common and severely disabling neural tube defect. Nondeclarative and semantic memory functions were intact. Working memory was intact with low maintenance and manipulation requirements, but impaired on tasks demanding high information maintenance or manipulation load. Prospective memory for intentions to be executed in the future was impaired. Immediate and delayed episodic memory were poor. Memory deficits were exacerbated by an increased number of lifetime shunt revisions, a marker for unstable hydrocephalus. Memory status was positively correlated with functional independence, an important component of quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. maureen.dennis@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: Derryn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jewell
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Talar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Misakyan
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spiegler
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gentili
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*