H. Con. Res. 163 
Agreed to September 22, 2008
One Hundred Tenth Congress 
of the 
United States of America 
AT THE SECOND SESSION 
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, 
the third day of January, two thousand and eight 
Concurrent Resolution 
Whereas Dandy-Walker syndrome is the most common congenital 
malformation of the cerebellum and its causes are largely 
unknown; 
Whereas between 10,000 and 40,000 people have Dandy-Walker 
syndrome in the United States; 
Whereas the incidence of Dandy-Walker syndrome is at least 1 
case per every 25,000 to 35,000 live births, however this is likely 
a significant underestimate because of difficulties diagnosing the 
syndrome; 
Whereas the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Dandy- 
Walker syndrome may affect as many as 1 in 5000 live born 
infants; 
Whereas approximately 70 to 90 percent of patients with Dandy- 
Walker syndrome have hydrocephalus; 
Whereas Dandy-Walker syndrome accounts for approximately 1 
to 4 percent of hydrocephalus cases; 
Whereas patients with Dandy-Walker syndrome present with 
developmental delay, enlarged head circumference, or signs and 
symptoms of hydrocephalus; 
Whereas Dandy-Walker syndrome affects males and females 
approximately equally; 
Whereas seizures occur in 15 to 30 percent of patients with Dandy- 
Walker syndrome; 
Whereas subnormal intelligence is manifested in 41 to 71 percent 
of patients with Dandy-Walker syndrome; 
Whereas failure to diagnose Dandy-Walker syndrome with hydro-
cephalus in a Neonate or a child can cause serious neurologic 
complications; 
Whereas Dandy-Walker syndrome is named after former University 
of New Mexico neurosurgeon and professor Arthur E. Walker 
(1907–1995) and Walter E. Dandy (1883–1941), who first 
described the disorder in 1914; and 
Whereas there are 2 known researchers dedicated to Dandy-Walker 
Syndrome in the United States and additional investigators are 
needed: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concur-
ring), That— 
(1) Congress commends the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health for working with leading scientists and
H. Con. Res. 163—2 
researchers to organize the first National Institutes of Health 
conference on hydrocephalus in September 2005 and the Inau-
gural ‘‘Cerebellar Development: Bench to Bedside International 
Conference’’ in November 2006; and 
(2) it is the sense of Congress that— 
(A) the Director of the National Institutes of Health 
should continue the current collaboration, with respect to 
Dandy-Walker syndrome, among the National Human 
Genome Research Institute, the National Institute of Bio-
medical Imaging and Bioengineering, the National Institute 
of Child Health and Human Development, the National 
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the 
Office of Rare Diseases; 
(B) further research into the epidemiology, diagnosis, 
pathophysiology, disease burden, and improved treatment 
of Dandy-Walker syndrome and hydrocephalus should be 
conducted and supported; and 
(C) public awareness and professional education 
regarding Dandy-Walker research should increase through 
partnerships between the Federal Government and patient 
advocacy organizations, such as the Dandy-Walker Alliance 
and the Hydrocephalus Association. 
Attest: 
Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
Attest: 
Secretary of the Senate.