Cognitive deficits in spina bifida

Sammanfattning: Spina bifida myelomeningocele (SBM) is the most common and severe type of spina bifida which is a neural tube defect (NTD). Additionally to the defect of the spinal cord most cases of SBM develop an Arnold-Chiari-II malformation, which is the main reason behind the common development of hydrocephalus. Children with SBM have a rather different cognitive profile than typically developing children. Hence, this thesis reviews the neurological impact on the cognitive profile and its relation to the social impairments found for this population. The Arnold-Chiari-II malformation is a malformation of the hindbrain which affects structures of the hindbrain, midbrain, ventricular system and subcortical gray matter. These deficits lead to impairments in the cognitive domains of executive functioning, visual-spatial working memory, intelligence, language, and learning. The consequences of these cognitive deficits are often on the social aspects of life. Two aspects affected are education and work, projecting in less academic success and a higher rate of unemployment. By clarifying the relationship between all of these aspects there is hope to improve the life of these individuals, especially on an educational basis.