Bender-Gestalt performance and recall in an asthmatic sample.

In a sample of intractable adult asthmatics, the prevalence of Bender-Gestalt signs suggestive of neuropsychological problems was documented. Sixty-five per cent of the sample was found to have equivocal or definite Bender-Gestalt signs suggestive of cerebral dysfunction. A clear majority of the asthmatics manifested definite signs of memory impairment when they were asked to recall the Bender designs. The study provides the first documentation of the neuropsychological sequelae of asthma in adults.