Targeted study of the executive functions in Paediatric Stroke finalized at telematics cognitive training

Up to half children with arterial ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke display long-term cognitive difficulties and disabilities that typically remain stable over time. Many studies focused on general intellectual functioning, language, accademic performance or memory, while only few studies focused on attention and executive function (EF). Results show that EF are particulary vulnerable to the effects of pediatric stroke. Reported deficits include impaired sustained, divided and selective attention, inhibition, and reduced reaction times and accuracy. However EF are often measured using miscellaneous neuropsychological measures, often not fully adequate. In the present study we aimed to assess attention and EF in children following perinatal or childhood stroke using a battery of EF tests and questionnaires to better understand EF functioning after pediatric stroke. Participants where selected from a subset of clinically and neuroradiologically completely characterized patients of Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital in Genoa. This study is preliminary to a second one finalized to evaluate the efficacy of a telematics cognitive training for children with EF deficits after stroke.