Neuropsychological evaluation in an adolescent with cerebellar hypoplasia diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature describing cases of cognitive impairment associated with both acquired and developmental damage to the cerebellum. The current case study describes such a case involving a 17-year-old male with cerebellar hypoplasia, having incomplete formation of the vermis and atrophy of the interior cerebellar hemispheres. He had previously been diagnosed as having Asperger's Syndrome. A full neuropsychological evaluation was performed, including effort testing. This is followed by a comparison of the current results to previously reported cases, with a discussion of the heterogeneity of deficits associated with developmental cerebellum malformation.

Keywords:

• Cerebellum
• Cognition
• Hypoplasia
• Neuropsychological assessment