Pre- and Post-Treatment Neurobehavioral Functions in Children with Moyamoya Disease( I )

BACKGROUND: Neurobehavioral studies of pediatric moyamoya disease (MMD) mostly focused on intellectual function that provides little information on the pattern of dysfunctions and underlying neuropathology. Except for a few case reports, only two recent studies to date investigated specific but limited neurobehavioral domains in children with MMD. Very few studies explored social emotional functions in MMD despite the involvement of ACAs and mesial frontal regions which might cause emotional and motivational changes. Quality of life and coping efficiency are also important but underinvestigated aspects. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to (1) investigate preoperative neurobehavioral functions in children with MMD; (2) monitor postoperative neurobehavioral changes; (3) portray psychosocial functioning including socio-emotional development and activities of daily living of the patients as well as stress-coping behaviors and quality of life of the family; (4) explore risk factors or predictors of poor functional outcomes. METHODS: Children diagnosed with MMD and their parents will receive neurobehavioral and neuroimaging studies. An age-matched control group will also be recruited as the reference. The domains tested will included intelligence, linguistic function, executive function, working memory, processing speed, episodic and semantic memory, emotion and social cognition, activities of daily living, quality of life and coping strategies. Serial neurobehavioral assessments will be given before the surgical treatment, three months and one year after the surgical treatment. The impaired functions will be correlated with the quantitative neuroimaging results EXPECTED OUTCOME: We expected to understand the impact of internal carotid arteries vasculopathy on neurobehavioral functions and the influence of disease uncertainty on patients and families’ well-being, and to probe the prognostic factors of outcomes in order to provide early intervention for those in need of special care in the future. We hope to set up a bio-psycho-social model for holistic health care protocol in MMD children.

Project ID:PC10109-0138
External Project ID:NSC101-2321-B182-014