Cognitive and neuroradiological findings in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Nineteen patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) aged over 16 years were given a neuropsychological evaluation; no significant differences with individually matched normal controls were detected. CAH subjects, however, revealed slightly higher IQs with respect to the expected distribution. No significant learning disabilities could be detected. Fifteen patients underwent nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); 4 subjects showed small areas of increased signal intensity in the white matter, without prevalence of side; this finding did not correlate with clinical and cognitive characteristics. The results are discussed in the light of possible hormonal influences.