Publications [#271075] of Melanie J. Bonner

Journal Articles

1. Hardy, KK; Bonner, MJ; Willard, VW; Watral, MA; Gururangan, S (2008). Hydrocephalus as a possible additional contributor to cognitive outcome in survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma.. Psychooncology, 17(11), 1157-1161. [18636431], [doi]
   (last updated on 2025/05/31)

   Abstract:
   OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between shunted hydrocephalus and intellectual, memory and academic functioning in a group of survivors of pediatric medulloblastoma. METHODS: Data from measures of cognitive, memory, academic and visual-motor functioning were gathered retrospectively from 35 survivors. Of these survivors, 10 (28.6%) required ventriculoperitoneal-shunt placement for hydrocephalus posttumor resection. RESULTS: Results revealed that participants with shunted hydrocephalus demonstrated significantly lower IQs, lower nonverbal intellectual functioning, lower academic skills in writing and math, and impairments in visual-motor abilities when compared with those without shunt. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need to explore other variables--in addition to radiation and chemotherapy--as risk factors for neurocognitive impairments in survivors. Furthermore, identification of physiological substrates underlying these deficits is needed.