title: Cognitive and behavioral outcomes in individuals with a history of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
abstract: We describe cognitive and behavioral outcomes in 12 males and 7 females diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) in childhood. Age at assessment ranged from 6 to 23 years and all participants were at least 2 years post-ADEM presentation (mean 5.4 years). Performance was compared with 18 control subjects. Three of 19 ADEM patients met criteria for cognitive impairment, defined as performance falling ≤1.5 SD on at least three tests. Age at ADEM-onset was not associated with outcome. Despite the transient nature of the illness and absence of persistent physical disability, cognitive sequelae occur in some individuals following childhood ADEM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Bravina J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kuni
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Banwell
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Till
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult