Title
Daily Executive Functioning in Adults with Childhood Hemispherectomy
Publication Date
2-2020
Abstract
Childhood Hemispherectomy (CHE) has been deemed as a successful treatment option for young children with intractable epilepsy caused by congenital or acquired cortical lesions. Research highlights some expected motor and cognitive impairments, but generally suggests a trend toward functional independence (Moosa, Gupta, et al., 2013). While understanding of the more specific neuropsychological outcome of CHE is essential, there has been a dearth of information regarding the long-term neurocognitive and behavioral sequelae of CHE. The current study examined the impact of CHE on daily executive functioning in 12 adults using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning, Adult Version (BRIEF-A). Participants were required to complete the self-report survey, and to provide a close relative to fill out the informant survey. Contrary to expectations, results suggest that both participants and informants perceived the participant’s behaviors and executive functioning to be largely commensurate to normative data. However, qualitative analyses noted that select participants, especially those with developmental (polymicrogyria) pathology recognized mild to moderate deficits in their functioning. These current findings suggest that there may be additional areas (i.e., etiology, recurrent seizures) to consider in future research. Additionally, this study offers support that those who have undergone CHE may function similar to neurotypicals with respect to daily executive functioning, and that the expected associated cognitive inefficiencies may not be fully reflective of this population.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (PhD)
First Advisor
Brown, Warren S.
Document Type
Dissertation
Language
English
Keywords
Hemispherectomy, Executive function, Long-term outcomes of CHE, Executive functions (Neuropsychology), Brain surgery
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology
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Embargo Period
6-4-2020
Comments
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