VERBAL-LEARNING AND MEMORY IN CHILDREN WITH MYELOMENINGOCELE

Examined verbal learning and memory in children with myelomeningocele using the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Participants include d 41 children with myelomeningocele, 8 to 15 years of age, 33 of whom had a history of shunted hydrocephalus, and 41 matched, unaffected con trols. Children with myelomeningocele and shunted hydrocephalus perfor med worse than controls on the CVLT, They recalled as many words as co ntrols on the first learning trial, but acquired words more slowly acr oss trials, so that their overall recall was lower. Their learning was characterized by a pronounced recency effect. Their delayed recall of the original list was worse than controls, but not their recognition. Performance of children with myelomeningocele but without shunts was generally not significantly different from that of the other two group s, although they did demonstrate better long-delay free recall than ch ildren with shunts. Myelomeningocele is associated with significant re trieval problems when accompanied by shunted hydrocephalus.