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Hocking MC, Schultz RT, Yerys BE, Minturn JE, Fantozzi P, Herrington JD. White matter connectivity and social functioning in survivors of pediatric brain tumor. J Neurooncol 2024:10.1007/s11060-024-04724-0. [PMID: 38837018 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Survivors of pediatric brain tumors (SPBT) are at risk for social deficits, fewer friendships, and poor peer relations. SPBT also experience reduced brain connectivity via microstructural disruptions to white matter from neurological insults. Research with other populations implicates white matter connectivity as a key contributor to poor social functioning. This case-controlled diffusion-weighted imaging study evaluated structural connectivity in SPBT and typically developing controls (TDC) and associations between metrics of connectivity and social functioning. METHODS Diffusion weighted-imaging results from 19 SPBT and 19 TDC were analyzed using probabilistic white matter tractography. Survivors were at least 5 years post-diagnosis and 2 years off treatment. Graph theory statistics measured group differences across several connectivity metrics, including average strength, global efficiency, assortativity, clustering coefficient, modularity, and betweenness centrality. Analyses also evaluated the effects of neurological risk on connectivity among SPBT. Correlational analyses evaluated associations between connectivity and indices of social behavior. RESULTS SPBT demonstrated reduced global connectivity compared to TDC. Several medical factors (e.g., chemotherapy, recurrence, multimodal therapy) were related to decreased connectivity across metrics of integration (e.g., average strength, global efficiency) in SPBT. Connectivity metrics were related to peer relationship quality and social challenges in the SPBT group and to social challenges in the total sample. CONCLUSIONS Microstructural white matter connectivity is diminished in SPBT and related to neurological risk and peer relationship quality. Additional neuroimaging research is needed to evaluate associations between brain connectivity metrics and social functioning in SPBT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Hocking
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Robert T Schultz
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Benjamin E Yerys
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jane E Minturn
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter Fantozzi
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John D Herrington
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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2
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Adamski J, Langford V, Finlay JL. Approaches to Minimise the Neurodevelopmental Impact of Choroid Plexus Carcinoma and Its Treatment. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1855. [PMID: 37763259 PMCID: PMC10533047 DOI: 10.3390/life13091855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Choroid plexus carcinomas (CPC) are rare aggressive tumours that primarily affect very young children. Treatment for CPC typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Whilst considered necessary for a cure, these therapies have significant neurocognitive consequences for patients, negatively impacting cognitive function including memory, attention, executive functioning, and full-scale intelligence quotients (FSIQ). These challenges significantly impact the quality of life and ultimately socioeconomic parameters such as the level of educational attainment, marital status, and socioeconomic status. This review looks at the tumour- and treatment-related causes of neurocognitive damage in CPC patients and the progress made in finding strategies to reduce these. Opportunities to mitigate the neurodevelopmental consequences of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are explored in the context of CPC treatment. Evaluation of the pathological and biological mechanisms of injury has identified innovative approaches to neurocognitive protection and neurorehabilitation, which aim to limit the neurocognitive damage. This review aims to highlight multiple approaches physicians can use when treating young children with CPC, to focus on neurocognitive outcomes as a measure of success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Adamski
- Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK;
| | - Vikki Langford
- Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B4 6NH, UK;
| | - Jonathan L. Finlay
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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3
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Baron Nelson MC, O'Neil SH, Tanedo J, Dhanani S, Malvar J, Nuñez C, Nelson MD, Tamrazi B, Finlay JL, Rajagopalan V, Lepore N. Brain biomarkers and neuropsychological outcomes of pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors treated with surgical resection with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28817. [PMID: 33251768 PMCID: PMC7755691 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Children with brain tumors experience cognitive late effects, often related to cranial radiation. We sought to determine differential effects of surgery and chemotherapy on brain structure and neuropsychological outcomes in children who did not receive cranial radiation therapy (CRT). METHODS Twenty-eight children with a history of posterior fossa tumor (17 treated with surgery, 11 treated with surgery and chemotherapy) underwent neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment a mean of 4.5 years (surgery group) to 9 years (surgery + chemotherapy group) posttreatment, along with 18 healthy sibling controls. Psychometric measures assessed IQ, language, executive functions, processing speed, memory, and social-emotional functioning. Group differences and correlations between diffusion tensor imaging findings and psychometric scores were examined. RESULTS The z-score mapping demonstrated fractional anisotropy (FA) values were ≥2 standard deviations lower in white matter tracts, prefrontal cortex gray matter, hippocampus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and pons between patient groups, indicating microstructural damage associated with chemotherapy. Patients scored lower than controls on visuoconstructional reasoning and memory (P ≤ .02). Lower FA in the uncinate fasciculus (R = -0.82 to -0.91) and higher FA in the thalamus (R = 0.73-0.91) associated with higher IQ scores, and higher FA in the thalamus associated with higher scores on spatial working memory (R = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS Posterior fossa brain tumor treatment with surgery and chemotherapy affects brain microstructure and neuropsychological functioning years into survivorship, with spatial processes the most vulnerable. Biomarkers indicating cellular changes in the thalamus, hippocampus, pons, prefrontal cortex, and white matter tracts associate with lower psychometric scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C Baron Nelson
- Departments of Medical Education and Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
- Radiology Department, CIBORG Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sharon H O'Neil
- Radiology Department, CIBORG Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jeffrey Tanedo
- Radiology Department, CIBORG Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, California
| | - Sofia Dhanani
- The Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jemily Malvar
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Marvin D Nelson
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Benita Tamrazi
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jonathan L Finlay
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Vidya Rajagopalan
- Radiology Department, CIBORG Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Natasha Lepore
- Radiology Department, CIBORG Laboratory, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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4
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Sakaguchi Y, Natsume J, Kidokoro H, Tanaka M, Okai Y, Ito Y, Yamamoto H, Ohno A, Nakata T, Nakane T, Kawai H, Taoka T, Muramatsu H, Naganawa S, Takahashi Y. Change of White Matter Integrity in Children With Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 111:78-84. [PMID: 32951667 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have improved the survival rate of malignant diseases and congenital immunodeficiencies. It has become important to assess long-term complications in survivors. To assess neurological abnormalities in children treated by transplantation, diffusion tensor imaging was performed. METHODS Forty children who underwent head diffusion tensor imaging before and after their first transplantation were enrolled. Patients with brain lesions on conventional MRI were excluded. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were compared between patients and 28 control subjects using tract-based spatial statistics. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was administered as a behavioral evaluation after transplantation, and diffusion tensor images of patients with and without behavioral abnormalities were compared. RESULTS The age of patients and controls was 0 to 19 years and 0 to 16 years, respectively. The date of diffusion tensor imaging was 10 to 57 days before and 40 to 153 days after transplantation. Tract-based spatial statistics showed fractional anisotropy reduction in widespread white matter in patients before and after transplantation. Mean diffusivity was high before transplantation and normalized after transplantation. Analysis comparing before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation shows no difference in fractional anisotropy and a higher mean diffusivity before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In patients with behavioral abnormalities, low fractional anisotropy and high mean diffusivity remained after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging showed white matter abnormalities in children without conventional MRI abnormalities, which were related to behavioral problems after transplantation. Diffusion tensor imaging is useful for behavioral assessment in children undergoing transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Sakaguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jun Natsume
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Developmental Disability Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Hiroyuki Kidokoro
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masaharu Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yu Okai
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuji Ito
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ohno
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Nakata
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshiki Nakane
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hisashi Kawai
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Taoka
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideki Muramatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shinji Naganawa
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Takahashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
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Paquette N, Gajawelli N, Lepore N. Structural neuroimaging. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 174:251-264. [PMID: 32977882 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64148-9.00018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing the neuroanatomical correlates of brain development is essential in understanding brain-behavior relationships and neurodevelopmental disorders. Advances in brain MRI acquisition protocols and image processing techniques have made it possible to detect and track with great precision anatomical brain development and pediatric neurologic disorders. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of the modern neuroimaging techniques for pediatric brain development and review key normal brain development studies. Characteristic disorders affecting neurodevelopment in childhood, such as prematurity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), epilepsy, and brain cancer, and key neuroanatomical findings are described and then reviewed. Large datasets of typically developing children and children with various neurodevelopmental conditions are now being acquired to help provide the biomarkers of such impairments. While there are still several challenges in imaging brain structures specific to the pediatric populations, such as subject cooperation and tissues contrast variability, considerable imaging research is now being devoted to solving these problems and improving pediatric data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Paquette
- CIBORG Lab, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Niharika Gajawelli
- CIBORG Lab, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Natasha Lepore
- CIBORG Lab, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
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Krull KR, Hardy KK, Kahalley LS, Schuitema I, Kesler SR. Neurocognitive Outcomes and Interventions in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2018; 36:2181-2189. [PMID: 29874137 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.76.4696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has demonstrated that survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for a myriad of late effects that affect physical and mental quality of life. We discuss the patterns and prevalence of neurocognitive problems commonly experienced by survivors of CNS tumors and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the two most commonly researched cancer diagnoses. Research documenting the direct effects of tumor location and treatment type and intensity is presented, and patient characteristics that moderate outcomes (eg, age at diagnosis and sex) are discussed. Potential biologic mechanisms of neurotoxic treatment exposures, such as cranial irradiation and intrathecal and high-dose antimetabolite chemotherapy, are reviewed. Genetic, brain imaging, and neurochemical biomarkers of neurocognitive impairment are discussed. Long-term survivors of childhood cancer are also at risk for physical morbidity (eg, cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine) and problems with health behaviors (eg, sleep); research is reviewed that demonstrates these health problems contribute to neurocognitive impairment in survivors with or without exposure to neurotoxic therapies. We conclude this review with a discussion of literature supporting specific interventions that may be beneficial in the treatment of survivors who already experience neurocognitive impairment, as well as in the prevention of impairment manifestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Krull
- Kevin R. Krull, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Kristina K. Hardy, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Lisa S. Kahalley, Baylor College of Medicine; Shelli R. Kesler, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Ilse Schuitema, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kristina K Hardy
- Kevin R. Krull, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Kristina K. Hardy, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Lisa S. Kahalley, Baylor College of Medicine; Shelli R. Kesler, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Ilse Schuitema, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lisa S Kahalley
- Kevin R. Krull, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Kristina K. Hardy, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Lisa S. Kahalley, Baylor College of Medicine; Shelli R. Kesler, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Ilse Schuitema, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ilse Schuitema
- Kevin R. Krull, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Kristina K. Hardy, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Lisa S. Kahalley, Baylor College of Medicine; Shelli R. Kesler, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Ilse Schuitema, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shelli R Kesler
- Kevin R. Krull, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; Kristina K. Hardy, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC; Lisa S. Kahalley, Baylor College of Medicine; Shelli R. Kesler, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Ilse Schuitema, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
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7
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Marusak HA, Iadipaolo AS, Harper FW, Elrahal F, Taub JW, Goldberg E, Rabinak CA. Neurodevelopmental consequences of pediatric cancer and its treatment: applying an early adversity framework to understanding cognitive, behavioral, and emotional outcomes. Neuropsychol Rev 2018; 28:123-175. [PMID: 29270773 PMCID: PMC6639713 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-017-9365-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Today, children are surviving pediatric cancer at unprecedented rates, making it one of modern medicine's true success stories. However, we are increasingly becoming aware of several deleterious effects of cancer and the subsequent "cure" that extend beyond physical sequelae. Indeed, survivors of childhood cancer commonly report cognitive, emotional, and psychological difficulties, including attentional difficulties, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Cognitive late- and long-term effects have been largely attributed to neurotoxic effects of cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, cranial irradiation, surgery) on brain development. The role of childhood adversity in pediatric cancer - namely, the presence of a life-threatening disease and endurance of invasive medical procedures - has been largely ignored in the existing neuroscientific literature, despite compelling research by our group and others showing that exposure to more commonly studied adverse childhood experiences (i.e., domestic and community violence, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) strongly imprints on neural development. While these adverse childhood experiences are different in many ways from the experience of childhood cancer (e.g., context, nature, source), they do share a common element of exposure to threat (i.e., threat to life or physical integrity). Therefore, we argue that the double hit of early threat and cancer treatments likely alters neural development, and ultimately, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional outcomes. In this paper, we (1) review the existing neuroimaging research on child, adolescent, and adult survivors of childhood cancer, (2) summarize gaps in our current understanding, (3) propose a novel neurobiological framework that characterizes childhood cancer as a type of childhood adversity, particularly a form of early threat, focusing on development of the hippocampus and the salience and emotion network (SEN), and (4) outline future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A Marusak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave., Suite 2190, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
| | - Allesandra S Iadipaolo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave., Suite 2190, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Felicity W Harper
- Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Farrah Elrahal
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave., Suite 2190, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Elimelech Goldberg
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Kids Kicking Cancer, Southfield, MI, USA
| | - Christine A Rabinak
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Ave., Suite 2190, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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8
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Alias H, Lau SCD, Schuitema I, de Sonneville LMJ. Neuropsychological Consequences for Survivors of Childhood Brain Tumor in Malaysia. Front Psychol 2018; 9:703. [PMID: 29896137 PMCID: PMC5986920 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate neuropsychological consequences in survivors of childhood brain tumor. Method: A case-control study was conducted over a period of 4 months in a tertiary referral center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fourteen survivors of childhood brain tumor aged 7–18 years, who were off-treatment for at least 1 year and were in remission, and 31 unrelated healthy controls were recruited. The median age at diagnosis was 8.20 years (range: 0.92–12.96 years). The diagnoses of brain tumors were medulloblastoma, germ cell tumor, pineocytoma, pilocystic astrocytoma, suprasellar germinoma, and ependymoma. Eleven survivors received central nervous system irradiation. Seven tasks were selected from the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks program to evaluate alertness (processing speed), and major aspects of executive functioning, such as working memory capacity, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and sustained attention. Speed, stability and accuracy of responses were the main outcome measures. Results: Survivors of childhood brain tumor showed statistically significant poorer performance on all tasks compared to healthy controls. Both processing speed and accuracy were impaired in the survivors, in particular under more complex task conditions. The survivors demonstrated deficits in alertness, sustained attention, working memory capacity, executive visuomotor control, and cognitive flexibility. Longer duration off treatment appeared to be correlated with poorer alertness, memory capacity, and inhibition. Conclusion: Survivors of childhood brain tumor in our center showed impaired neuropsychological functioning. Development of less toxic treatment protocols is important to prevent late effects of cognitive deficits in survivors of childhood brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidah Alias
- Department of Pediatrics, UKM Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sie Chong D Lau
- Department of Pediatrics, UKM Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ilse Schuitema
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Leo M J de Sonneville
- Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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