Investigating Neuropsychological and Mental Health Outcomes After Surgical Intervention in Pediatric Moyamoya Vasculopathy

Abstract

Moyamoya vasculopathy (MMV), a rare and progressive cerebrovascular disorder, is an important cause of pediatric stroke. This retrospective study explored post-revascularization neuropsychological and mental health outcomes. Eighteen patients from the Canadian Pediatric Stroke Registry at the Hospital for Sick Children (MAge=10, SD=4.073) who had revascularization surgery and completed neuropsychological assessments between 2012 and 2024 were selected. Outcome measures included academics, executive functioning, and mental health. Predictor variables were age at revascularization surgery, age at stroke/moyamoya diagnosis, and moyamoya diagnosis (confirmed or presumed). Two significant associations emerged: a strong positive relationship for children with a moyamoya diagnosis and caregiver-reported BASC-3 anxiety scores; and a strong positive correlation between moyamoya diagnosis and caregiver-reported BRIEF2 BRI total score. Age at revascularization and moyamoya diagnosis significantly predicted BRIEF2 caregiver-reported BRI total scores. These preliminary findings suggest our selected variables may predict caregiver and self-reported behavioural dysregulation and anxiety, requiring early intervention and ongoing support.