Abstract

Hydrocephalus, a prevalent neurological condition, involves an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain's ventricles. Despite diffuse damage to paraventricular brain regions, patients typically exhibit specific cognitive deficits such as impaired working memory, attention, and spatial abilities. However, the literature on the neuropsychological aspects of hydrocephalus is limited, with only a few studies published. Moreover, theories explaining the relationship between cognitive impairment and the condition's etiology have arisen independently, providing divergent explanations.

This primer aims to offer neuropsychologists a comprehensive understanding of hydrocephalus, encompassing cognitive effects and various theoretical interpretations of their origins. We review clinical and neuropsychological examinations of cognitive profiles, along with a limited number of studies exploring more integrative approaches. Specifically, we explore the distinction between congenital or early-onset hydrocephalus and acquired forms that develop later in life. The examination of both types allows for the investigation of typical and atypical developmental trajectories and their interaction with acute and chronic impairments within the same neurological condition. This intersection between different populations within neuropsychology presents intriguing implications for our understanding of hydrocephalus and suggests potential avenues for future research.