Project Description (16)

Cognitive Functioning and Remediation in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Study Description

Every year, 40,000 U.S. children are diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD) and 25% with critical CHD require surgery during infancy. These children may experience significant adverse effects on brain development and neurocognitive function as part of their CHD and subsequent surgical interventions. Survivors of CHD show deficits in a wide range of neurocognitive functions including processing speed, working memory, attention, and other aspects of executive function. However, all interventions to date have targeted improvements in surgery and medical care.

Our team works in collaboration with Lori Jordan, MD, PhD, a pediatric neurologist at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The initial phase of our work was a descriptive study of cognitive functioning and deficits in children with moderate CHD (Transposition of the Great Arteries and Tetraology of Fallot) compared to their healthy, unaffected siblings. The primary goal of the new phase of our work is to test a computerized cognitive remediation intervention to ameliorate specific aspects of adverse neurocognitive effects of CHD for school aged-children with severe CHD (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome).