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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; 169:247-256. [PMID: 38837018 PMCID: PMC11341593 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-024-04724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [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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Glazer S, Kim YJ, Fecher M, Billetdeaux KA, Gilliland EB, Wilde EA, Olshefski R, Yeates KO, Vannatta K, Hoskinson KR. Higher order neurocognition in pediatric brain tumor survivors: What can we learn from white matter microstructure? Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30787. [PMID: 38014868 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) experience neurocognitive late effects, including problems with working memory, processing speed, and other higher order skills. These skill domains are subserved by various white matter (WM) pathways, but not much is known about these brain-behavior links in PBTS. This study examined the anterior corona radiata (ACR), inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi (IFOF), and superior longitudinal fasciculi (SLF) by analyzing associations among diffusion metrics and neurocognition. PROCEDURE Thirteen PBTS and 10 healthy controls (HC), aged 9-14 years, completed performance-based measures of processing speed and executive function, and parents rated their child's day-to-day executive skills. Children underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion weighted imaging that yielded fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) values. Independent samples t-tests assessed group differences on neurocognitive and imaging measures, and pooled within-group correlations examined relationships among measures across groups. RESULTS PBTS performed more poorly than HC on measures of processing speed, divided attention, and shifting (d = -1.08 to -1.44). WM microstructure differences were significant in MD values for the bilateral SLF and ACR, with PBTS showing higher diffusivity (d = 0.75 to 1.21). Better processing speed, divided attention, and shifting were associated with lower diffusivity in the IFOF, SLF, and ACR, but were not strongly correlated with FA. CONCLUSIONS PBTS demonstrate poorer neurocognitive functioning that is linked to differences in WM microstructure, as evidenced by higher diffusivity in the ACR, SLF, and IFOF. These findings support the use of MD in understanding alterations in WM microstructure in PTBS and shed light on potential functions of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Glazer
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Young Jin Kim
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Madison Fecher
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Katherine A Billetdeaux
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Erin B Gilliland
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Randal Olshefski
- Section of Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathryn Vannatta
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristen R Hoskinson
- Center for Biobehavioral Health, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Sleurs C, Fletcher P, Mallucci C, Avula S, Ajithkumar T. Neurocognitive Dysfunction After Treatment for Pediatric Brain Tumors: Subtype-Specific Findings and Proposal for Brain Network-Informed Evaluations. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1873-1886. [PMID: 37615933 PMCID: PMC10661593 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors requires us to incorporate the most recent knowledge derived from cognitive neuroscience into their oncological treatment. As the lesion itself, as well as each treatment, can cause specific neural damage, the long-term neurocognitive outcomes are highly complex and challenging to assess. The number of neurocognitive studies in this population grows exponentially worldwide, motivating modern neuroscience to provide guidance in follow-up before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of structural and functional brain connectomes and their role in the neuropsychological outcomes of specific brain tumor types. Based on this information, we propose a theoretical neuroscientific framework to apply appropriate neuropsychological and imaging follow-up for future clinical care and rehabilitation trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sleurs
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Paul Fletcher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Conor Mallucci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Shivaram Avula
- Department of Radiology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Thankamma Ajithkumar
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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4
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Perez WD, Perez-Torres CJ. Neurocognitive and radiological changes after cranial radiation therapy in humans and rodents: a systematic review. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:119-137. [PMID: 35511499 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2074167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiation-induced brain injury is a common long-term side effect for brain cancer survivors, leading to a reduced quality of life. Although there is growing research pertaining to this topic, the relationship between cognitive and radiologically detected lesions of radiation-induced brain injury in humans remains unclear. Furthermore, clinically translatable similarities between rodent models and human findings are also undefined. The objective of this review is to then identify the current evidence of radiation-induced brain injury in humans and to compare these findings to current rodent models of radiation-induced brain injury. METHODS This review includes an examination of the current literature on cognitive and radiological characteristics of radiation-induced brain injury in humans and rodents. A thorough search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify studies that performed cognitive assessments and magnetic resonance imaging techniques on either humans or rodents after cranial radiation therapy. A qualitative synthesis of the data is herein reported. RESULTS A total of 153 studies pertaining to cognitively or radiologically detected radiation injury of the brain are included in this systematic review; 106 studies provided data on humans while 47 studies provided data on rodents. Cognitive deficits in humans manifest across multiple domains after brain irradiation. Radiological evidence in humans highlight various neuroimaging-detectable changes post-irradiation. It is unclear, however, whether these findings reflect ground truth or research interests. Additionally, rodent models do not comprehensively reproduce characteristics of cognitive and radiological injury currently identified in humans. CONCLUSION This systematic review demonstrates that associations between and within cognitive and radiological radiation-induced brain injuries often rely on the type of assessment. Well-designed studies that evaluate the spectrum of potential injury are required for a precise understanding of not only the clinical significance of radiation-induced brain injury in humans, but also how to replicate injury development in pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney D Perez
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Carlos J Perez-Torres
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Academy of Integrated Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Józefacka NM, Machnikowska-Sokołowska MD, Kołek MF, Gruszczyńska KJ, Musioł K. Cognitive performance of medulloblastoma tumour survivors related to the area of cerebellum damage. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2022; 27:1037-1044. [PMID: 36632295 PMCID: PMC9826648 DOI: 10.5603/rpor.a2022.0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between a damaged cerebellum area and the cognitive performance of medulloblastoma tumour survivors. Also, age-based differences in cognitive performance were tested. Materials and methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique was used to obtain brain images of survivors. The cognitive performance was tested using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). Statistical analysis was performed with highly robust permutation tests. Results There were two anatomical features strongly influencing the cognitive performance of survivors. The extension of the foramen of Luschka had a negative impact on the overall verbal IQ score and some non-verbal scales while the excision of the middle part of the vermis influenced scores in such scales as arithmetic and picture completing. Conclusions Children with postoperative damages in the area of the middle part of the vermis are more likely to suffer from cognitive dysfunctions after the end of the treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magdalena Dagmara Machnikowska-Sokołowska
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Katarzyna Jadwiga Gruszczyńska
- Division of Diagnostic Imaging Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Musioł
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Chemotherapy, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Tanedo J, Gajawelli N, Guo S, Baron Nelson M, Lepore N. White matter tract changes in pediatric posterior fossa brain tumor survivors after surgery and chemotherapy. FRONTIERS IN NEUROIMAGING 2022; 1:845609. [PMID: 37555139 PMCID: PMC10406254 DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2022.845609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of pediatric posterior fossa brain tumors are susceptible to the adverse effects of treatment as they grow into adulthood. While the exact neurobiological mechanisms of these outcomes are not yet understood, the effects of treatment on white matter (WM) tracts in the brain can be visualized using diffusion tensor (DT) imaging. We investigated these WM microstructural differences using the statistical method tract-specific analysis (TSA). We applied TSA to the DT images of 25 children with a history of posterior fossa tumor (15 treated with surgery, 10 treated with surgery and chemotherapy) along with 21 healthy controls. Between these 3 groups, we examined differences in the most used DTI metric, fractional anisotropy (FA), in 11 major brain WM tracts. RESULTS Lower FA was found in the splenium of the corpus callosum (CC), the bilateral corticospinal tract (CST), the right inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (IFOF) and the left uncinate fasciculus (UF) in children with brain tumors as compared to healthy controls. Lower FA, an indicator of microstructural damage to WM, was observed in 4 of the 11 WM tracts examined in both groups of children with a history of posterior fossa tumor, with an additional tract unique to children who received surgery and chemotherapy (left UF). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that a history of tumor in the posterior fossa and surgical resection may have effects on the WM in other parts of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Tanedo
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Niharika Gajawelli
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sharon Guo
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mary Baron Nelson
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Natasha Lepore
- CIBORG Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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McCurdy MD, Raghubar KP, Christopher K, Okcu MF, Wilde E, Desai N, Chu ZD, Gragert M, Stancel H, Warren EH, Whitehead WE, Grosshans D, Paulino AC, Chintagumpala M, Kahalley LS. Predicting neurocognitive function in pediatric brain tumor early survivorship: The neurological predictor scale and the incremental validity of tumor size. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e29803. [PMID: 35709014 PMCID: PMC10265925 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.29803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Neurological Predictor Scale (NPS) quantifies cumulative exposure to conventional treatment-related neurological risks but does not capture potential risks posed by tumors themselves. This study evaluated the predictive validity of the NPS, and the incremental value of tumor location and size, for neurocognitive outcomes in early survivorship following contemporary therapies for pediatric brain tumors. PROCEDURE Survivors (N = 69) diagnosed from 2010 to 2016 were administered age-appropriate versions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales. Hierarchical multiple regressions examined the predictive and incremental validity of NPS score, tumor location, and tumor size. RESULTS Participants (51% female) aged 6-20 years (M = 13.22, SD = 4.09) completed neurocognitive evaluations 5.16 years (SD = 1.29) postdiagnosis. The NPS significantly predicted Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ; ΔR2 = .079), Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI; ΔR2 = 0.051), Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI; ΔR2 = 0.065), and Processing Speed Index (PSI; ΔR2 = 0.049) performance after controlling for sex, age at diagnosis, and maternal education. Tumor size alone accounted for a significant amount of unique variance in FSIQ (ΔR2 = 0.065), PRI (ΔR2 = 0.076), and PSI (ΔR2 = 0.080), beyond that captured by the NPS and relevant covariates. Within the full model, the NPS remained a significant independent predictor of FSIQ (β = -0.249, P = 0.016), VCI (β = -0.223, P = 0.048), and PRI (β = -0.229, P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Tumor size emerged as an independent predictor of neurocognitive functioning and added incrementally to the predictive utility of the NPS. Pretreatment disease burden may provide one of the earliest markers of neurocognitive risk following contemporary treatments. With perpetual treatment advances, measures quantifying treatment-related risk may need to be updated and revalidated to maintain their clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. McCurdy
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - Kimberly P. Raghubar
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | | | - M. Fatih Okcu
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - Elisabeth Wilde
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, US
| | - Nilesh Desai
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - Zili D. Chu
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - Marsha Gragert
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX US
| | | | - Emily H. Warren
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - William E. Whitehead
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - David Grosshans
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX US
| | | | - Murali Chintagumpala
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
| | - Lisa S. Kahalley
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, US
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, US
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Roberts H, Ford TJ, Karl A, Reynolds S, Limond J, Adlam ALR. Mood Disorders in Young People With Acquired Brain Injury: An Integrated Model. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:835897. [PMID: 35754774 PMCID: PMC9218558 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.835897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose/Objective Young people with paediatric acquired brain injury (pABI) are twice as likely to develop a mood disorder as their peers, frequently have significant unmet socio-emotional needs, and are at over double the risk of going on to use adult mental health services. Recent years have seen significant advances in the development of interventions for young people with mood disorders. However, evidence-based approaches to mood disorders in pABI are lacking and surprisingly little work has evaluated clinical and neuro-developmental models of mood disorders in this population. Method We review the literature regarding key mechanisms hypothesised to account for the increased vulnerability to mood disorders in pABI: First, we summarise the direct neurocognitive consequences of pABI, considering the key areas of the brain implicated in vulnerability to mood disorders within a neurodevelopmental framework. Second, we outline five key factors that contribute to the heightened prevalence of mood disorders in young people following ABI. Finally, we synthesise these, integrating neuro-cognitive, developmental and systemic factors to guide clinical formulation. Results and Implications We present a framework that synthesises the key mechanisms identified in our review, namely the direct effects of pABI, neurocognitive and neuroendocrine factors implicated in mood and anxiety disorders, maladaptive neuroplasticity and trauma, structural and systemic factors, and psychological adjustment and developmental context. This framework is the first attempt to provide integrated guidance on the multiple factors that contribute to elevated life-long risk of mood disorders following pABI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamsin J Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Karl
- Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Shirley Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Limond
- Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Dasgupta A, Maitre M, Pungavkar S, Gupta T. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Contemporary Management of Medulloblastoma: Current and Emerging Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2423:187-214. [PMID: 34978700 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1952-0_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma, the most common malignant primary brain tumor in children, is now considered to comprise of four distinct molecular subgroups-wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3, and Group 4 medulloblastoma, each associated with distinct developmental origins, unique transcriptional profiles, diverse phenotypes, and variable clinical behavior. Due to its exquisite anatomic resolution, multiparametric nature, and ability to image the entire craniospinal axis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred and recommended first-line imaging modality for suspected brain tumors including medulloblastoma. Preoperative MRI can reliably differentiate medulloblastoma from other common childhood posterior fossa masses such as ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, and brainstem glioma. On T1-weighted images, medulloblastoma is generally iso- to hypointense, while on T2-weighted images, the densely packed cellular component of the tumor is significantly hypointense and displays restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging. Following intravenous gadolinium, medulloblastoma shows significant but variable and heterogeneous contrast enhancement. Given the propensity of neuraxial spread in medulloblastoma, sagittal fat-suppressed T1-postcontrast spinal MRI is recommended to rule out leptomeningeal metastases for accurate staging. Following neurosurgical excision, postoperative MRI done within 24-48 h confirms the extent of resection, accurately quantifying residual tumor burden imperative for risk assignment. Post-treatment MRI is needed to assess response and effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. After completion of planned therapy, surveillance MRI is recommended periodically on follow-up for early detection of recurrence for timely institution of salvage therapy, as well as for monitoring treatment-related late complications. Recent studies suggest that preoperative MRI can reliably identify SHH and Group 4 medulloblastoma but has suboptimal predictive accuracy for WNT and Group 3 tumors. In this review, we focus on the role of MRI in the diagnosis, staging, and quantifying residual disease; post-treatment response assessment; and periodic surveillance, and provide a brief summary on radiogenomics in the contemporary management of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archya Dasgupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Neuro-Oncology Disease Management Group, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Madan Maitre
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Neuro-Oncology Disease Management Group, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
| | - Sona Pungavkar
- Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, India
| | - Tejpal Gupta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Neuro-Oncology Disease Management Group, Tata Memorial Centre, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, India
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Wu Y, Han X, Zheng R, Cheng H, Yan J, Wu X, Hu Y, Li B, Wang Z, Li X, Zhang H. Neutrophil mediated postoperative photoimmunotherapy against melanoma skin cancer. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:14825-14836. [PMID: 34533171 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr04002b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Surgery is the primary treatment option for most melanoma; however, high tumor recurrence rate after surgical resection becomes the main cause of death in cancer patients. The development of efficient drug delivery nanosystems to inhibit postoperative tumor recurrence becomes very necessary. In the present study, IR780 molecules and TRP-2 peptide were encapsulated in the hydrophobic shell and hydrophilic interior of TAT peptide functionalized liposomes to form TLipIT NPs, which were further internalized into neutrophils (NEs) to achieve TLipIT/NEs. After being intravenously injected into postoperative B16F10-bearing mice, TLipIT/NEs could actively migrate toward the inflamed residual tumor and release TLipIT through neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Under NIR laser irradiation, the TLipIT exhibited both photothermal and photodynamic effects to induce immunogenic cell death for maturation of DCs, and simultaneously, to release TRP-2 peptide as a melanoma associated antigen to further strengthen the maturation of DCs, both of which prompts the activation of T cells and induces potent immune responses. TLipIT/NEs hold great potential for the inhibition of postoperative tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Wu
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, P.R. China
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Xiaoqing Han
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Runxiao Zheng
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Hongda Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China
| | - Jiao Yan
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Xiaqing Wu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
| | - Yaqing Hu
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, P.R. China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, P.R. China
| | - Zhenxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Xi Li
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, P.R. China
| | - Haiyuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun, 130022, China.
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
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Cognitive and Imaging Differences After Proton and Photon Whole Brain Irradiation in a Preclinical Model. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 112:554-564. [PMID: 34509550 PMCID: PMC8748279 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Compared with photon cranial radiation therapy (X-CRT), proton cranial radiation therapy (P-CRT) offers potential advantages in limiting radiation-induced sequalae in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. This study aims to identify cognitive, functional magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography imaging markers and molecular differences between the radiation modalities. Methods and Materials: Juvenile rats received a single faction of 10 Gy (relative biological effectiveness−weighted dose) delivered with 6 MV X-CRT or at the midspread out Bragg peak of a 100 MeV P-CRT beam. At 3, 6, and 12 months post-CRT, executive function was measured using 5-choice serial reaction time task. At ~12 months post-CRT, animals were imaged with 18F-Flurodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography imaging followed by functional ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging and stained for markers of neuroinflammation. Results: Irradiated animals had cognitive impairment with a higher number of omissions and lower incorrect and premature responses compared with sham (P ≤ .05). The accuracy of the animals’ X-CRT was less than that of sham (P ≤ .001). No significant difference in rates of cognitive change were found between the radiation modalities. At 12 months post-CRT, glucose metabolism was significantly higher than sham in X-CRT (P = .04) but not P-CRT. Using diffusion tensor imaging, P-CRT brains were found to have higher white matter volume and fiber lengths compared with sham (P < .03). Only X-CRT animals had higher apparent diffusion coefficient values compared with sham (P = .04). P-CRT animals had more connectomic changes compared with X-CRT. Correlative analysis identified several imaging features with cognitive performance. Further-more, microgliosis (P < .05), astrogliosis (P < .01), and myelin thinning (P <.05) were observed in both radiation modalities, with X-CRT showing slightly more inflammation. Conclusions: Both P-CRT and X-CRT lead to neurocognitive changes compared with sham. Although no significant difference was observed in neuroinflammation between the irradiated groups, differences were found in late-term glucose metabolism and brain connectome. Our results indicate that despite relative biological effectiveness weighting of the proton dose there are still differential effects which warrants further investigation.
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12
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Gorbunov NV, Kiang JG. Brain Damage and Patterns of Neurovascular Disorder after Ionizing Irradiation. Complications in Radiotherapy and Radiation Combined Injury. Radiat Res 2021; 196:1-16. [PMID: 33979447 PMCID: PMC8297540 DOI: 10.1667/rade-20-00147.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to ionizing radiation, mechanical trauma, toxic chemicals or infections, or combinations thereof (i.e., combined injury) can induce organic injury to brain tissues, the structural disarrangement of interactive networks of neurovascular and glial cells, as well as on arrays of the paracrine and systemic destruction. This leads to subsequent decline in cognitive capacity and decompensation of mental health. There is an ongoing need for improvement in mitigating and treating radiation- or combined injury-induced brain injury. Cranial irradiation per se can cause a multifactorial encephalopathy that occurs in a radiation dose- and time-dependent manner due to differences in radiosensitivity among the various constituents of brain parenchyma and vasculature. Of particular concern are the radiosensitivity and inflammation susceptibility of: 1. the neurogenic and oligodendrogenic niches in the subependymal and hippocampal domains; and 2. the microvascular endothelium. Thus, cranial or total-body irradiation can cause a plethora of biochemical and cellular disorders in brain tissues, including: 1. decline in neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis; 2. impairment of the blood-brain barrier; and 3. ablation of vascular capillary. These changes, along with cerebrovascular inflammation, underlie different stages of encephalopathy, from the early protracted stage to the late delayed stage. It is evident that ionizing radiation combined with other traumatic insults such as penetrating wound, burn, blast, systemic infection and chemotherapy, among others, can exacerbate the radiation sequelae (and vice versa) with increasing severity of neurogenic and microvascular patterns of radiation brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliann G. Kiang
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
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13
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Hocking MC, Walsh KS, Hardy KK, Conklin HM. Addressing Neurocognitive Late Effects in Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Current Approaches and Future Opportunities. J Clin Oncol 2021; 39:1824-1832. [PMID: 33886353 DOI: 10.1200/jco.20.02327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Hocking
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.,The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Karin S Walsh
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.,The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Kristina K Hardy
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC.,The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
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14
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Peterson RK, Jones K, Jacobson LA. [Formula: see text]The contribution of sluggish cognitive tempo to processing speed in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Child Neuropsychol 2021; 27:960-972. [PMID: 33866922 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2021.1917529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) describes a pattern of under-activity, poor initiation, and slowness. It was first reported within the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) literature and found to be positively associated with the inattentive symptoms of ADHD and negatively or not significantly associated with the hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms of ADHD. SCT has since been considered applicable to the pediatric oncology population given the emergence of inattentive, sluggish symptoms secondary to cancer treatment. The present study examined the unique contribution of SCT to various processing speed skills in a clinical sample of pediatric brain tumor (BT) survivors in order to determine the degree to which SCT explained timed "cognitive" processing components. Measures included speeded naming, graphomotor speed, and speeded inhibition. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to predict performance-based measures of processing speed. After controlling for verbal ability and inattention, SCT, particularly Daydreamy SCT (β = -0.698, p = 0.023), explained 28% of variance in speeded inhibition. SCT did not add significantly to the prediction of speeded naming or graphomotor speed. Findings suggest that the "daydreamy" aspect of SCT, rather than "sluggishness" per se, may be related to more complex, cognitively-demanding tasks with greater executive functioning burdens in BT survivors. Implications for intervention for oncology survivors as well as future research directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Peterson
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Neuropsychology Department.,Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
| | - Kelly Jones
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Neuropsychology Department
| | - Lisa A Jacobson
- Kennedy Krieger Institute Neuropsychology Department.,Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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15
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Witzmann K, Raschke F, Troost EGC. MR Image Changes of Normal-Appearing Brain Tissue after Radiotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071573. [PMID: 33805542 PMCID: PMC8037886 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatment options against cancer. Irradiation of cancerous tissue either directly destroys the cancer cells or damages them such that they cannot reproduce. One side-effect of radiotherapy is that tumor-surrounding normal tissue is inevitably also irradiated, albeit at a lower dose. The resulting long-term damage can significantly affect cognitive performance and quality of life. Many studies investigated the effect of irradiation on normal-appearing brain tissues and some of these correlated imaging findings with functional outcome. This article provides an overview of the examination of radiation-induced injuries using conventional and enhanced MRI methods and summarizes conclusions about the underlying tissue changes. Radiation-induced morphologic, microstructural, vascular, and metabolic tissue changes have been observed, in which the effect of irradiation was evident in terms of decreased perfusion and neuronal health as well as increased diffusion and atrophy. Abstract Radiotherapy is part of the standard treatment of most primary brain tumors. Large clinical target volumes and physical characteristics of photon beams inevitably lead to irradiation of surrounding normal brain tissue. This can cause radiation-induced brain injury. In particular, late brain injury, such as cognitive dysfunction, is often irreversible and progressive over time, resulting in a significant reduction in quality of life. Since 50% of patients have survival times greater than six months, radiation-induced side effects become more relevant and need to be balanced against radiation treatment given with curative intent. To develop adequate treatment and prevention strategies, the underlying cause of radiation-induced side-effects needs to be understood. This paper provides an overview of radiation-induced changes observed in normal-appearing brains measured with conventional and advanced MRI techniques and summarizes the current findings and conclusions. Brain atrophy was observed with anatomical MRI. Changes in tissue microstructure were seen on diffusion imaging. Vascular changes were examined with perfusion-weighted imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging. MR spectroscopy revealed decreasing N-acetyl aspartate, indicating decreased neuronal health or neuronal loss. Based on these findings, multicenter prospective studies incorporating advanced MR techniques as well as neurocognitive function tests should be designed in order to gain more evidence on radiation-induced sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Witzmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology—OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; (K.W.); (F.R.)
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Raschke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology—OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; (K.W.); (F.R.)
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Esther G. C. Troost
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Institute of Radiooncology—OncoRay, Dresden, Germany; (K.W.); (F.R.)
- OncoRay—National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden and Helmholtz Association/Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- Correspondence:
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16
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Cavatorta C, Meroni S, Montin E, Oprandi MC, Pecori E, Lecchi M, Diletto B, Alessandro O, Peruzzo D, Biassoni V, Schiavello E, Bologna M, Massimino M, Poggi G, Mainardi L, Arrigoni F, Spreafico F, Verderio P, Pignoli E, Gandola L. Retrospective study of late radiation-induced damages after focal radiotherapy for childhood brain tumors. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247748. [PMID: 33635906 PMCID: PMC7909688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To study a robust and reproducible procedure to investigate a relation between focal brain radiotherapy (RT) low doses, neurocognitive impairment and late White Matter and Gray Matter alterations, as shown by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), in children. METHODS AND MATERIALS Forty-five patients (23 males and 22 females, median age at RT 6.2 years, median age at evaluations 11.1 years) who had received focal RT for brain tumors were recruited for DTI exams and neurocognitive tests. Patients' brains were parceled in 116 regions of interest (ROIs) using an available segmented atlas. After the development of an ad hoc, home-made, multimodal and highly deformable registration framework, we collected mean RT doses and DTI metrics values for each ROI. The pattern of association between cognitive scores or domains and dose or DTI values was assessed in each ROI through both considering and excluding ROIs with mean doses higher than 75% of the prescription. Subsequently, a preliminary threshold value of dose discriminating patients with and without neurocognitive impairment was selected for the most relevant associations. RESULTS The workflow allowed us to identify 10 ROIs where RT dose and DTI metrics were significantly associated with cognitive tests results (p<0.05). In 5/10 ROIs, RT dose and cognitive tests were associated with p<0.01 and preliminary RT threshold dose values, implying a possible cognitive or neuropsychological damage, were calculated. The analysis of domains showed that the most involved one was the "school-related activities". CONCLUSION This analysis, despite being conducted on a retrospective cohort of children, shows that the identification of critical brain structures and respective radiation dose thresholds is achievable by combining, with appropriate methodological tools, the large amount of data arising from different sources. This supported the design of a prospective study to gain stronger evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cavatorta
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Meroni
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Eros Montin
- Department of Electronics Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria C. Oprandi
- Neuro-oncological and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Emilia Pecori
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Mara Lecchi
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Diletto
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Ombretta Alessandro
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Denis Peruzzo
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Veronica Biassoni
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Schiavello
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Bologna
- Department of Electronics Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maura Massimino
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Geraldina Poggi
- Neuro-oncological and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Luca Mainardi
- Department of Electronics Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Arrigoni
- Neuroimaging Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Filippo Spreafico
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Verderio
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Emanuele Pignoli
- Medical Physics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Lorenza Gandola
- Pediatric Radiotherapy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, Italy
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17
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Kluge S, Balermpas P, Lehrnbecher T, Porto L. Pediatric CNS imaging and long-term effects of irradiation in pediatric oncology patients. Pediatr Int 2021; 63:81-87. [PMID: 32799347 DOI: 10.1111/ped.14409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate post-irradiation changes in the central nervous system (CNS) detected using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. METHODS Magnetic resonance images of 15 children with CNS tumors treated through whole-brain irradiation over 10 years were reviewed retrospectively. Variables such as age at the time of irradiation, total radiation dose, treatment length, and time interval between irradiation and MR changes, were evaluated. RESULTS All patients included in the study had imaging abnormalities of the CNS. Eight patients (53%) developed CNS abnormalities within a short period of time - only a few months after irradiation (mean 4.8 months). Seven patients (47%) developed CNS abnormalities within a long time interval after treatment (mean 4.6 years). In almost all patients, a T2 increase in supra- and infratentorial white matter was observed. Follow-up examinations showed nine patients (60%) with cerebellar atrophy. CONCLUSIONS In this sample of pediatric patients who underwent whole-brain irradiation, the time receiving irradiation was not related to the severity of the MR changes. A correlation between the age of the child or the length of the radiotherapy and the extent of the changes could not be confirmed. However, we observed a trend towards stronger brain parenchymal degeneration with cystic changes in the younger age group of children in our sample. Older children who received irradiation seem to be more susceptible to vascular dysplasia with cavernous hemangiomas and microbleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kluge
- Institute of Neuroradiology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Panagiotis Balermpas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Lehrnbecher
- Division for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
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18
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Sepulveda E, Patrick H, Freeman CR, Kildea J. Implementation of a DVH Registry to provide constraints and continuous quality monitoring for pediatric CSI treatment planning. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2020; 22:191-202. [PMID: 33315306 PMCID: PMC7856485 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is a complex radiation therapy technique that is used for patients, often children and teenagers/young adults, with tumors that have a propensity to spread throughout the central nervous system such as medulloblastoma. CSI is associated with important long‐term side effects, the risk of which may be affected by numerous factors including radiation modality and technique. Lack of standardization for a technique that is used even in larger radiation oncology departments only a few times each year may be one such factor and the current ad hoc manner of planning new CSI patients may be greatly improved by implementing a dose–volume histogram registry (DVHR) to use previous patient data to facilitate prospective constraint guidance for organs at risk. In this work, we implemented a DVHR and used it to provide standardized constraints for CSI planning. Mann–Whitney U tests and mean differences at 95% confidence intervals were used to compare two cohorts (pre‐ and post‐DVHR intervention) at specific dosimetric points to determine if observed improvements in standardization were statistically significant. Through this approach, we have shown that the implementation of dosimetric constraints based on DVHR‐derived data helped improve the standardization of pediatric CSI planning at our center. The DVHR also provided guidance for a change in CSI technique, helping to achieve practice standardization across TomoTherapy and IMRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Sepulveda
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Physics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Haley Patrick
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Physics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Carolyn R Freeman
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - John Kildea
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Physics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
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19
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Double Dissociation of Auditory Attention Span and Visual Attention in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cerebellar Tumor: A Deterministic Tractography Study of the Cerebellar-Frontal and the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus Pathways. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2020; 26:939-953. [PMID: 32342828 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617720000417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Right cerebellar-left frontal (RC-LF) white matter integrity (WMI) has been associated with working memory. However, prior studies have employed measures of working memory that include processing speed and attention. We examined the relationships between the RC-LF WMI and processing speed, attention, and working memory to clarify the relationship of RC-LF WMI with a specific cognitive function. Right superior longitudinal fasciculus II (SLF II) WMI and visual attention were included as a negative control tract and task to demonstrate a double dissociation. METHODS Adult survivors of childhood brain tumors [n = 29, age: M = 22 years (SD = 5), 45% female] and demographically matched controls were recruited (n = 29). Tests of auditory attention span, working memory, and visual attention served as cognitive measures. Participants completed a 3-T MRI diffusion-weighted imaging scan. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) served as WMI measures. Partial correlations between WMI and cognitive scores included controlling for type of treatment. RESULTS A correlational double dissociation was found. RC-LF WMI was associated with auditory attention (FA: r = .42, p = .03; RD: r = -.50, p = .01) and was not associated with visual attention (FA: r = -.11, p = .59; RD: r = -.11, p = .57). SLF II FA WMI was associated with visual attention (FA: r = .44, p = .02; RD: r = -.17, p = .40) and was not associated with auditory attention (FA: r = .24, p = .22; RD: r = -.10, p = .62). CONCLUSIONS The results show that RC-LF WMI is associated with auditory attention span rather than working memory per se and provides evidence for a specificity based on the correlational double dissociation.
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20
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Umana GE, Raudino G, Alberio N, Inserra F, Giovinazzo G, Fricia M, Chiriatti S, Nicoletti GF, Cicero S, Scalia G. Slit-like hypertensive hydrocephalus: Report of a late, complex, and multifactorial complication in an oncologic patient. Surg Neurol Int 2020; 11:219. [PMID: 32874722 PMCID: PMC7451176 DOI: 10.25259/sni_145_2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Several sophisticated techniques and many chemotherapy drugs have improved life expectancy of oncologic patients allowing us to observe late complications which present many years after the initial treatment. Case Description: We present a unique case of a patient affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 6 years, treated with whole brain radiotherapy and intrathecal chemotherapy, developing meningiomatosis and leptomeningeal alterations as late complications and the interaction of these two entities caused a peculiar form of hydrocephalus without ventricular dilation. The diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri was excluded due the postradio/chemotherapy development of meningiomatosis, not present in a previously head magnetic resonance imaging, that exerted compression to the Sylvian aqueduct causing intracranial hypertension with papillary stasis without ventricles enlargement due to brain stiffness. Moreover, a peculiar intraoperative rubbery consistency of brain parenchyma was detected strengthening this complex diagnosis. Conclusion: At the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of obstructive hydrocephalus without ventricles dilation caused by brain stiffness related to late alterations of oncologic treatments. This report could be a guide for further complex patients diagnoses and for improving treatments efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Raudino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital "San Gerardo," Via G. B. Pergolesi 33, Monza, Italy
| | - Nicola Alberio
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina 829, Catania
| | - Francesco Inserra
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina 829, Catania
| | - Giuseppe Giovinazzo
- Department of Amethyst Radiotherapy Center, San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Tiber Island, Rome
| | - Marco Fricia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina 829, Catania
| | - Stefano Chiriatti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina 829, Catania
| | - Giovanni Federico Nicoletti
- Neurosurgery Unit, Highly Specialized Hospital and of National Importance "Garibaldi", Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù 5, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cicero
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina 829, Catania
| | - Gianluca Scalia
- Neurosurgery Unit, Highly Specialized Hospital and of National Importance "Garibaldi", Piazza Santa Maria di Gesù 5, Catania, Italy
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21
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O’Neil SH, Whitaker AM, Kayser K, Nelson MB, Finlay JL, Dhall G, Sands S. Neuropsychological outcomes on Head Start III: a prospective, multi-institutional clinical trial for young children diagnosed with malignant brain tumors. Neurooncol Pract 2020; 7:329-337. [PMID: 32537181 PMCID: PMC7274184 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npz071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current pediatric brain tumor treatment focuses on titrating toxicity based on risk factors while simultaneously improving survivorship. The Head Start (HS) protocols I to IV (1991-present) use high-dose chemotherapy (HDCTx) with an aim of reducing or eliminating cranial irradiation in very young children, the most vulnerable to its effects. METHODS We examined estimated Full Scale IQ, overall Adaptive Functioning, Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Verbal and Nonverbal Memory outcome data for 43 HS III patients diagnosed between ages 2 months and 7 years from 15 institutions in the United States and Canada. RESULTS At a mean of 5.12 years postdiagnosis, the HS III patients performed within the average to low-average ranges across these variables; however, individual variability was noted with scores ranging from superior to impaired, and the sample as a whole performed lower than age expectations. Performance did not significantly differ by sex or ethnicity, diagnosis, or for those treated with an intravenous methotrexate dose of 400 mg/kg vs 270 mg/kg. Additionally, performance did not significantly differ by age at diagnosis or length of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results, indicating overall average to low-average neurocognitive functioning, are encouraging, though significant individual variability was noted. Those who were younger at diagnosis, received more intensive methotrexate, and were further out from treatment were not at significantly increased risk of cognitive decline within our sample, suggesting a strategy of using HDCTx and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue to reduce or eliminate irradiation may allow for continued CNS development in young children treated for a brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon H O’Neil
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ashley M Whitaker
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kimberly Kayser
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mary Baron Nelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jonathan L Finlay
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Girish Dhall
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Birmingham, AL
| | - Stephen Sands
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY
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22
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Fan J, Milosevic R, Li J, Bai J, Zhang Y. The impact of neuroimaging advancement on neurocognitive evaluation in pediatric brain tumor survivors: A review. BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/2096595820902565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are a type of tumors that are commonly present in children and young adults. With the improvement of treatment, the quality of life, especially the cognitive functioning, is gaining increasingly more attention. Apart from cognitive evaluations, neuroimaging studies begin to play an important part in neurocognitive functioning investigation. In this way, the brain tissue changes caused by tumor variables (including tumor location and tumor size) and treatment variables (including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) can be detected by neuroimaging. Recent advancement of neuroimaging techniques, such as functional-MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), made great contributions to understanding cognitive dysfunction and quantifying the effects of tumor variables and treatment variables. In recent years, laminar-fMRI provided a potentially valuable tool for examining the exact origins of neural activity and cognitive function. On the other hand, molecular fMRI might guide diagnosis and treatment of brain disease in the future by using new biomarkers, and DTI can detect white matter changes and obtain some anatomically specific information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Fan
- Yuquan Hosipital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China
| | | | - Jiefei Li
- Yuquan Hosipital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China
| | - Jianjun Bai
- Yuquan Hosipital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China
| | - Yuqi Zhang
- Yuquan Hosipital, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100040, China
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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23
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Zhou C, Zhuang Y, Lin X, Michelson AD, Zhang A. Changes in neurocognitive function and central nervous system structure in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia survivors after treatment: a meta-analysis. Br J Haematol 2019; 188:945-961. [PMID: 31823355 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy in children. Although the survival rate has increased dramatically over the last decades, patients struggle with the adverse side effects of treatment. Treatment for ALL includes chemotherapy and irradiation - both of which are linked to cognitive impairments and alterations in central nervous system (CNS) structure and function detected by neuroimaging and in neurocognitive studies. The present article is a meta-analysis of the existing evidence for the mechanisms underlying changes in the CNS and neurocognitive function in ALL survivors after treatment. We found that compared with controls, ALL survivors develop: (i) cognitive sequelae in intelligence, academics, attention, memory, processing speed and executive function domains; (ii) decreased grey and white matter volume in cortical and several subcortical brain regions, with functional changes particularly in frontal regions and the hippocampus; (iii) neurocognitive impairments related to CNS changes; and (iv) reduction, but not resolution, of late neurocognitive sequelae in patients in whom prophylactic irradiation was replaced by systemic/intrathecal chemotherapy. Continued work with advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques will hopefully allow the detection of early CNS changes as biomarkers to help guide early diagnosis and intervention for neurocognitive defects in patients with childhood ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chendan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yong Zhuang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xingjie Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Alan D Michelson
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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24
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Gauvreau S, Lefebvre J, Bells S, Laughlin S, Bouffet E, Mabbott DJ. Disrupted network connectivity in pediatric brain tumor survivors is a signature of injury. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:2896-2909. [PMID: 31125446 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Cognition is compromised in pediatric brain tumor survivors but the neurophysiological basis of this compromise remains unclear. We hypothesized that reduced neural synchronization across brain networks is involved. To test this, we evaluated group differences using a retrospective cohort comparison design between 24 pediatric brain tumor survivors [11.81 ± 3.27)] and 24 age matched healthy children [12.04 ± 3.28)] in functional connectivity within a cerebellar network to examine local effects of the tumor, a whole brain network to examine diffuse effects of treatment (i.e., chemotherapy and radiation), and across multiple intrinsic connectivity networks. Neural activity was recorded during magnetoencephalography scanning while participants were at rest and functional connectivity within networks was measured using the phase lag index. We corroborated our findings using a computational model representing the local tumor effects on neural synchrony. Compared to healthy children, pediatric brain tumor survivors show increased functional connectivity for theta and beta frequency bands within the cerebellar network and increased functional connectivity for the theta band within the whole brain network that again localized to the cerebellum. Computational modeling showed that increased synchrony in the theta bad is observed following local clustering as well as sparse interarea brain connectivity. We also observed increased functional connectivity for the alpha frequency band in the ventral attention network and decreased functional connectivity within the gamma frequency band in the motor network within paedatric brain tumor survivors versus healthy children. Notably, increased gamma functional connectivity within the motor network predicted decreased reaction time on behavioral tasks in pediatric brain tumor survivors. Disrupted network synchrony may be a signature of neurological injury and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Gauvreau
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jérémie Lefebvre
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Mathematics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sonya Bells
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Suzanne Laughlin
- The Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,The Department of Medical Imaging, Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Donald J Mabbott
- Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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25
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Tang TT, Zawaski JA, Kesler SR, Beamish CA, Reddick WE, Glass JO, Carney DH, Sabek OM, Grosshans DR, Gaber MW. A comprehensive preclinical assessment of late-term imaging markers of radiation-induced brain injury. Neurooncol Adv 2019; 1:vdz012. [PMID: 31608330 PMCID: PMC6777502 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) is an important part of brain tumor treatment, and although highly effective, survivors suffer from long-term cognitive side effects. In this study we aim to establish late-term imaging markers of CRT-induced brain injury and identify functional markers indicative of cognitive performance. Specifically, we aim to identify changes in executive function, brain metabolism, and neuronal organization. Methods Male Sprague Dawley rats were fractionally irradiated at 28 days of age to a total dose of 30 Gy to establish a radiation-induced brain injury model. Animals were trained at 3 months after CRT using the 5-choice serial reaction time task. At 12 months after CRT, animals were evaluated for cognitive and imaging changes, which included positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results Cognitive deficit with signs of neuroinflammation were found at 12 months after CRT in irradiated animals. CRT resulted in significant volumetric changes in 38% of brain regions as well as overall decrease in brain volume and reduced gray matter volume. PET imaging showed higher brain glucose uptake in CRT animals. Using MRI, irradiated brains had an overall decrease in fractional anisotropy, lower global efficiency, increased transitivity, and altered regional connectivity. Cognitive measurements were found to be significantly correlated with six image features that included myelin integrity and local organization of the neural network. Conclusions These results demonstrate that CRT leads to late-term morphological changes, reorganization of neural connections, and metabolic dysfunction. The correlation between imaging markers and cognitive deficits can be used to assess late-term side effects of brain tumor treatment and evaluate efficacy of new interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien T Tang
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology Section, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
| | - Janice A Zawaski
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology Section, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Shelli R Kesler
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Wilburn E Reddick
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - John O Glass
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Darrell H Carney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas and Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc., Galveston, Texas
| | - Omaima M Sabek
- Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - David R Grosshans
- Departments of Radiation and Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - M Waleed Gaber
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology-Oncology Section, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas
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26
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Ailion AS, Roberts SR, Crosson B, King TZ. Neuroimaging of the component white matter connections and structures within the cerebellar-frontal pathway in posterior fossa tumor survivors. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 23:101894. [PMID: 31229941 PMCID: PMC6593203 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In posterior fossa tumor survivors, lower white matter integrity (WMI) in the right cerebellar-left frontal pathway has been well documented and appears to be related to proximity to the cerebellum, radiation treatment, as well as time since treatment in both cranial radiation and surgery-only treatment groups. The current study investigated theories of transneural degeneration following cerebellar tumor resection that may underlie or relate to reductions in WMI and regional brain volumes using correlations. We hypothesized a positive relationship between the volume of the right cerebellum and known white matter output pathways, as well as with the volume of structures that receive cerebellar projections along the pathway. Methods Adult survivors of childhood brain tumors were recruited (n = 29; age, M = 22 years, SD = 5; 45% female). Age- and gender-matched controls were also included (n = 29). Participants completed 3 T diffusion-weighted and T1 MPRAGE MRI scans. Brain structure volume relative to intracranial vault served as regional volumetric measures. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) served as WMI measures. In the survivor group, partial correlations between WMI and regional volume included controlling for disease severity. Results In posterior fossa tumor survivors, the volumes of the cerebellum, thalamus, and frontal lobe were correlated with WMI of the thalamic-frontal segment of the cerebellar-frontal pathway (r = 0.41–0.49, p < .05). Cerebellar atrophy was correlated with reduced WMI in the cerebellar-rubral segment (FA, r = −0.32 p > .05; RD, r = 0.53, p < .01). In the no-radiation survivor group, the regional volume of each structure along the pathway was associated with WMI in the cerebellar-rubral segment. In the radiation survivor group, significant correlations were found between the regional brain volume of each structure and the thalamic-frontal segment of the pathway. Discussion The results of this multimodal neuroimaging study provide correlational evidence that the mechanism of injury subsequent to brain tumor treatment may be different depending on type of treatment(s). Without radiation, the primary mechanism of injury is cerebellar tumor growth, resection, and hydrocephalus. Therefore, the most proximal connection to that injury (cerebellar-rubral pathway) was correlated with reductions in volume along the pathway. In contrast, the survivor group treated with radiation may have had possible radiation-induced demyelination of the thalamic-frontal portion of the pathway, based on a strong correlation with volume loss in the cerebellum, red nucleus, thalamus, and frontal lobe. Cerebellar atrophy predicted lower white matter integrity (WMI) in the cerebellar-rubral segment. The no-radiation group showed a correlational pattern that is consistent with possible transneural degeneration. The radiation group showed a correlational pattern consistent with theories of neurodevelopmental vulnerability to radiation-induced demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa S Ailion
- Department of Psychology, the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, United States of America
| | - Simone Renée Roberts
- Department of Psychology, the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, United States of America; Atlanta VA Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, United States of America
| | - Bruce Crosson
- Department of Psychology, the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, United States of America; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, United States of America; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, United States of America; Atlanta VA Center of Excellence for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, United States of America
| | - Tricia Z King
- Department of Psychology, the Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, United States of America.
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27
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Fan J, Milosevic R, Li J, Bai J, Zhang Y. The impact of neuroimaging advancement on neurocognitive evaluation in pediatric brain tumor survivors: A review. BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019. [DOI: 10.26599/bsa.2019.9050008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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28
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Cognitive Performance, Aerobic Fitness, Motor Proficiency, and Brain Function Among Children Newly Diagnosed With Craniopharyngioma. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2019; 25:413-425. [PMID: 31050329 PMCID: PMC6499492 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617718001170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Craniopharyngioma survivors experience cognitive deficits that negatively impact quality of life. Aerobic fitness is associated with cognitive benefits in typically developing children and physical exercise promotes recovery following brain injury. Accordingly, we investigated cognitive and neural correlates of aerobic fitness in a sample of craniopharyngioma patients. METHODS Patients treated for craniopharyngioma [N=104, 10.0±4.6 years, 48% male] participated in fitness, cognitive and fMRI (n=51) assessments following surgery but before proton radiation therapy. RESULTS Patients demonstrated impaired aerobic fitness [peak oxygen uptake (PKVO2)=23.9±7.1, 41% impaired (i.e., 1.5 SD<normative mean)], motor proficiency [Bruininks-Oseretsky (BOT2)=38.6±9.0, 28% impaired], and executive functions (e.g., WISC-IV Working Memory Index (WMI)=96.0±15.3, 11% impaired). PKVO2 correlated with better executive functions (e.g., WISC-IV WMI r=.27, p=.02) and academic performance (WJ-III Calculation r=.24, p=.04). BOT2 correlated with better attention (e.g., CPT-II omissions r=.26, p=.04) and executive functions (e.g., WISC-IV WMI r=.32, p=.01). Areas of robust neural activation during an n-back task included superior parietal lobule, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and middle and superior frontal gyri (p<.05, corrected). Higher network activation was associated with better working memory task performance and better BOT2 (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS Before adjuvant therapy, children with craniopharyngioma demonstrate significantly reduced aerobic fitness, motor proficiency, and working memory. Better aerobic fitness and motor proficiency are associated with better attention and executive functions, as well as greater activation of a well-established working memory network. These findings may help explain differential risk/resiliency with respect to acute cognitive changes that may portend cognitive late effects. (JINS, 2019, 25, 413-425).
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29
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Beera KG, Li YQ, Dazai J, Stewart J, Egan S, Ahmed M, Wong CS, Jaffray DA, Nieman BJ. Altered brain morphology after focal radiation reveals impact of off-target effects: implications for white matter development and neurogenesis. Neuro Oncol 2019; 20:788-798. [PMID: 29228390 PMCID: PMC5961122 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Children with brain tumors treated with cranial radiation therapy (RT) often exhibit cognitive late effects, commonly associated with reduced white matter (WM) volume and decreased neurogenesis. The impact of radiation damage in particular regions or tissues on brain development as a whole has not been elucidated. Methods We delivered whole-brain or focal radiation (8 Gy single dose) to infant mice. Focal treatments targeted white matter (anterior commissure), neuronal (olfactory bulbs), or neurogenic (subventricular zone) regions. High-resolution ex vivo MRI was used to assess radiation-induced volume differences. Immunohistochemistry for myelin basic protein and doublecortin was performed to assess associated cellular changes within white matter and related to neurogenesis, respectively. Results Both whole-brain and focal RT in infancy resulted in volume deficits in young adulthood, with whole-brain RT resulting in the largest deficits. RT of the anterior commissure, surprisingly, showed no impact on its volume or on brain development as a whole. In contrast, RT of the olfactory bulbs resulted in off-target volume reduction in the anterior commissure and decreased subventricular zone neurogenesis. RT of the subventricular zone likewise produced volume deficits in both the olfactory bulbs and the anterior commissure. Similar off-target effects were found in the corpus callosum and parietal cortex. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that radiation damage locally can have important off-target consequences for brain development. These data suggest that WM may be less radiosensitive than volume change alone would indicate and have implications for region-sparing radiation treatments aimed at reducing cognitive late effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran G Beera
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yu-Qing Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jun Dazai
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Stewart
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shannon Egan
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physics, University of McGill, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mashal Ahmed
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - C Shun Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David A Jaffray
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Radiation Medicine Program, Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian J Nieman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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30
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Heitzer AM, Ashford JM, Harel BT, Schembri A, Swain MA, Wallace J, Ness KK, Wang F, Zhang H, Merchant TE, Robinson GW, Gajjar A, Conklin HM. Computerized assessment of cognitive impairment among children undergoing radiation therapy for medulloblastoma. J Neurooncol 2018; 141:403-411. [PMID: 30467812 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03046-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advantages to computerized cognitive assessment include increased precision of response time measurement and greater availability of alternate forms. Cogstate is a computerized cognitive battery developed to monitor attention, memory, and processing speed. Although the literature suggests the domains assessed by Cogstate are areas of deficit in children undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma, the validity of Cogstate in this population has not been previously investigated. METHODS Children participating in an ongoing prospective trial of risk-adapted therapy for newly diagnosed medulloblastoma (n = 73; mean age at baseline = 12.1 years) were administered Cogstate at baseline (after surgery, prior to adjuvant therapy) and 3 months later (6 weeks after completion of radiation therapy). Gold-standard neuropsychological measures of similar functions were administered at baseline. RESULTS Linear mixed models revealed performance within age expectations at baseline across Cogstate tasks. Following radiation therapy, there was a decline in performance on Cogstate measures of reaction time (Identification and One Back). Females exhibited slower reaction time on One Back and Detection tasks at baseline. Higher-dose radiation therapy and younger age were associated with greater declines in performance. Pearson correlations revealed small-to-moderate correlations between Cogstate reaction time and working memory tasks with well-validated neuropsychological measures. CONCLUSIONS Cogstate is sensitive to acute cognitive effects experienced by some children with medulloblastoma and demonstrates associations with clinical predictors established in the literature. Correlations with neuropsychological measures of similar constructs offer additional evidence of validity. The findings provide support for the utility of Cogstate in monitoring acute cognitive effects in pediatric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Heitzer
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-2794, USA
| | - Jason M Ashford
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-2794, USA
| | - Brian T Harel
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Michelle A Swain
- Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, Bribane, QLD, Australia
| | - Joanna Wallace
- Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University/Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Kirsten K Ness
- Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Giles W Robinson
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Amar Gajjar
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-2794, USA.
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31
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Neuropsychological outcomes of patients with low-grade glioma diagnosed during the first year of life. J Neurooncol 2018; 141:413-420. [PMID: 30467811 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-018-03048-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are a heterogeneous group of brain tumors, which are often assumed to have a benign course. Yet, children diagnosed and treated for LGG in infancy are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental disruption. We sought to investigate neuropsychological outcomes of infants diagnosed with LGG. METHODS Between 1986 and 2013, 51 patients were diagnosed with LGG before 12 months of age and managed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Twenty-five of the 51 patients received a cognitive assessment (68% male; 6.8 ± 3.3 months at diagnosis; 10.5 ± 4.8 years at latest assessment). Approximately half the patients received radiation therapy (n = 12; aged 4.0 ± 3.0 years at radiation therapy), with a median of 2 chemotherapy regimens (range = 0-5) and 1 tumor directed surgery (range = 0-5). RESULTS The analyses revealed performance below age expectations on measures of IQ, memory, reading, mathematics, and fine motor functioning as well as parent-report of attention, executive, and adaptive functioning. Following correction for multiple comparisons, a greater number of chemotherapy regimens was associated with lower scores on measures of IQ and mathematics. More tumor directed surgeries and presence of visual field loss were associated with poorer dominant hand fine motor control. Radiation therapy exposure was not associated with decline in neuropsychological performance. CONCLUSIONS Children diagnosed with LGG in infancy experience substantial neuropsychological deficits. Treatment factors, including number of chemotherapy regimens and tumor directed surgeries, may increase risk for neurodevelopmental disruption and need to be considered in treatment planning.
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32
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Stavinoha PL, Askins MA, Powell SK, Pillay Smiley N, Robert RS. Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors. Bioengineering (Basel) 2018; 5:E73. [PMID: 30208602 PMCID: PMC6164803 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering5030073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The late neurocognitive and psychosocial effects of treatment for pediatric brain tumor (PBT) represent important areas of clinical focus and ongoing research. Neurocognitive sequelae and associated problems with learning and socioemotional development negatively impact PBT survivors' overall health-related quality of life, educational attainment and employment rates. Multiple factors including tumor features and associated complications, treatment methods, individual protective and vulnerability factors and accessibility of environmental supports contribute to the neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes in PBT survivors. Declines in overall measured intelligence are common and may persist years after treatment. Core deficits in attention, processing speed and working memory are postulated to underlie problems with overall intellectual development, academic achievement and career attainment. Additionally, psychological problems after PBT can include depression, anxiety and psychosocial adjustment issues. Several intervention paradigms are briefly described, though to date research on innovative, specific and effective interventions for neurocognitive late effects is still in its early stages. This article reviews the existing research for understanding PBT late effects and highlights the need for innovative research to enhance neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes in PBT survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Stavinoha
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Martha A Askins
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Stephanie K Powell
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Natasha Pillay Smiley
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Rhonda S Robert
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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33
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Partanen M, Bouffet E, Laughlin S, Strother D, Hukin J, Skocic J, Szulc-Lerch K, Mabbott DJ. Early changes in white matter predict intellectual outcome in children treated for posterior fossa tumors. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 20:697-704. [PMID: 30219617 PMCID: PMC6139996 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Prospective and longitudinal neuroimaging studies of posterior fossa tumors are scarce. Here we evaluate the early changes in white matter and intellectual outcome up to 3 years after diagnosis. Patients and methods Twenty-two children with posterior fossa tumors and 24 similarly-aged healthy children participated. Patients included: (a) 12 individuals who received surgery, cranial-spinal radiation (CSR), and focal radiation to the tumor bed (CSR group) and (b) 10 individuals who received local therapy, either surgery only or surgery and focal radiation to the tumor bed (Local group). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and intelligence measures were obtained an average of 3 months after diagnosis and then at 12, 24, and 36 months later. DTI tractography and voxel-wise approaches were employed. The Neurological Predictor Scale was used to summarize the type and amount of treatment for PF tumor patients. Linear mixed modelling was used to evaluate group differences at baseline and changes over time in DTI metrics for both the specific white matter tracts and voxel-wise, as well as for intelligence measures. Results Based on tractography, patients treated with CSR had significantly higher Axial and Mean diffusivity in the cortical-spinal tracts (CST) 3 month after diagnosis – particularly on the right side, p < .003, compared to healthy children. Mean diffusivity in right CST decreased over time in this group of patients, p = .001. No differences compared to controls were evident in specific tracts for the Local group, p > .10. Voxel-wise analyses revealed multiple areas of white matter compromise in both patients groups. Notably, both patient groups had lower scores on intelligence measures compared to the Control group: The CSR group displayed lower performance 3 months following diagnosis, ps < 0.001, and their performance remained stable over time ps > 0.10, whereas the Local group displayed no differences at 3 months, ps> 0.10, but their performance declined over time, ps < 0.01. At baseline, higher MD in right CST predicted lower Perceptual Reasoning scores across all participants, p = .001. Furthermore, lower FA in left IFOF at baseline predicted decline in Processing Speed over time, p = .001. In patients, more aggressive treatment protocols and presence of mutism were related to lower performance on intelligence measures at baseline, ps < 0.04. Conclusions Children treated with CSR displayed diffuse white matter compromise and poor intellectual outcome shortly after radiation treatment. There was evidence of subsequent growth of white matter structure, but stable intellectual insult. Conversely, in children treated with either surgery only or surgery and focal radiation to the tumor bed we observed less compromise of white matter early following treatment and no intellectual insult compared to healthy children. However, declines in intellectual function were evident for these children, though their performance remained within the average normative range. Overall, results suggest that early intervention is necessary to circumvent these deficits. There are early deficits to intellect and white matter shortly after treatment Early deficits were observed only after cranial-spinal radiation Intellectual deficits are generally stable over time White matter indices, mutism, and treatment predicted intellectual outcome
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric Bouffet
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Juliette Hukin
- Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC Branch, Canada
| | - Jovanka Skocic
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Glass JO, Ogg RJ, Hyun JW, Harreld JH, Schreiber JE, Palmer SL, Li Y, Gajjar AJ, Reddick WE. Disrupted development and integrity of frontal white matter in patients treated for pediatric medulloblastoma. Neuro Oncol 2018; 19:1408-1418. [PMID: 28541578 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Treatment of pediatric medulloblastoma is associated with known neurocognitive deficits that we hypothesize are caused by microstructural damage to frontal white matter (WM). Methods Longitudinal MRI examinations were collected from baseline (after surgery but before therapy) to 36 months in 146 patients and at 3 time points in 72 controls. Regional analyses of frontal WM volume and diffusion tensor imaging metrics were performed and verified with tract-based spatial statistics. Age-adjusted, linear mixed-effects models were used to compare patient and control images and to associate imaging changes with Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities. Results At baseline, WM volumes in patients were similar to those in controls; fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower bilaterally (P < 0.001) and was associated with decreased Processing Speed (P = 0.014) and Broad Attention (P = 0.025) performance at 36 months. During follow-up, WM volumes increased in controls but decreased in patients (P < 0.001) bilaterally. Smaller WM volumes in patients at 36 months were associated with concurrent decreased Working Memory (P = 0.026) performance. Conclusions Lower FA in patients with pediatric medulloblastoma compared with age-similar controls indicated that patients suffer substantial acute microstructural damage to supratentorial frontal WM following surgery but before radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Additionally, this damage to the frontal WM was associated with decreased cognitive performance in executive function 36 months later. This early damage also likely contributed to posttherapeutic failure of age-appropriate WM development and to the known association between decreased WM volumes and decreased cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O Glass
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Robert J Ogg
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jung W Hyun
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Julie H Harreld
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jane E Schreiber
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Shawna L Palmer
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yimei Li
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Amar J Gajjar
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Wilburn E Reddick
- Departments of Diagnostic Imaging, Biostatistics, Psychology, and Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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Pulsifer MB, Duncanson H, Grieco J, Evans C, Tseretopoulos ID, MacDonald S, Tarbell NJ, Yock TI. Cognitive and Adaptive Outcomes After Proton Radiation for Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2018; 102:391-398. [PMID: 30108004 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.05.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Radiation therapy is integral in treatment of pediatric brain tumors, but it is associated with negative long-term sequelae. Proton beam radiation therapy (PRT), which enables better focusing of radiation on tumors, may entail fewer sequelae. This prospective study examined cognitive and adaptive functioning in children and young adults treated with PRT. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 155 patients were assessed using age-appropriate measures for cognitive and adaptive functioning at start of or during PRT (baseline) and at follow-up. Mean age at baseline was 8.9 years; mean follow-up interval was 3.6 years. Diagnoses included medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, glial tumors, germ cell tumors, and others. The sample was divided by age at baseline (<6 years [N = 57, or 37%] and ≥6 years [N = 98, or 63%]) and by PRT field (craniospinal irradiation [CSI; 39%] and focal irradiation [61%]). RESULTS Scores for mean intelligence quotient (IQ) and adaptive functioning skills were in the average range at baseline and follow-up. Overall, mean IQ scores declined from 105.4 to 102.5 (P = .005); however, only the younger CSI group showed significant decline. Patients receiving CSI, regardless of age, appeared particularly vulnerable in IQ, processing speed, and working memory. Adaptive skills were stable across the 4 age-by-treatment field groups. CONCLUSIONS At a mean of 3.6 years after PRT, IQ declined slightly for the group, largely because of significant IQ decline in younger patients treated with CSI. No significant change was seen in patients <6 years treated with focal PRT or in older patients. Adaptive skills remained stable across age and treatment type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret B Pulsifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Haley Duncanson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Julie Grieco
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Casey Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Shannon MacDonald
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Jacobson LA, Mahone EM, Yeates KO, Ris MD. Processing speed in children treated for brain tumors: effects of radiation therapy and age. Child Neuropsychol 2018; 25:217-231. [PMID: 29621934 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2018.1456517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined processing speed in children two years post-treatment for brain tumors (BT) with radiation therapy (RT) compared to those treated with without RT. Participants included 59 children (4-17 years) with BT assessed as part of the Brain Radiation Investigative Study Consortium (BRISC). Processing speed was assessed at two time points: Time1 (3-9 months post-surgery) for 26 children who received whole brain or focal RT (RT group) and 33 treated without RT (no-RT group), and again two years later (Time2) for 42 participants (17 RT, 25 no-RT). Linear mixed effects (LME) regression analyses examined differences in cognitive and motor speed between groups and across visits, with age at Time1 (age1) treated as a moderating variable, and sex and primary tumor size as covariates. No effects for treatment group or visit were found for motor speed (Pegboard) or mean reaction time (Attention Network Task). On the Wechsler Processing Speed Index (PSI), the no-RT group performed better than the RT group, with a group-by-age interaction such that across visits, the difference between the no-RT and RT groups was larger among children who were older at initial treatment (≥10 years) than among those who were younger (<10 years). Cumulative brain injury earlier in life (tumor, surgery, plus RT) may result in greater impact on more complex tasks of cognitive efficiency. Children receiving RT showed reduced processing speed over time, with a larger group difference among those who were over 10 years at treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A Jacobson
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Kennedy Krieger Institute , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Neuropsychology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - E Mark Mahone
- a Department of Neuropsychology , Kennedy Krieger Institute , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b Department of Neuropsychology , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Keith O Yeates
- c Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute , University of Calgary , Calgary , Canada
| | - M Douglas Ris
- d Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA.,e Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
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Repairing the brain with physical exercise: Cortical thickness and brain volume increases in long-term pediatric brain tumor survivors in response to a structured exercise intervention. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 18:972-985. [PMID: 29876282 PMCID: PMC5987848 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that exercise induced experience dependent plasticity may foster structural and functional recovery following brain injury. We examined the efficacy of exercise training for neural and cognitive recovery in long-term pediatric brain tumor survivors treated with radiation. We conducted a controlled clinical trial with crossover of exercise training (vs. no training) in a volunteer sample of 28 children treated with cranial radiation for brain tumors (mean age = 11.5 yrs.; mean time since diagnosis = 5.7 yrs). The endpoints were anatomical T1 MRI data and multiple behavioral outcomes presenting a broader analysis of structural MRI data across the entire brain. This included an analysis of changes in cortical thickness and brain volume using automated, user unbiased approaches. A series of general linear mixed effects models evaluating the effects of exercise training on cortical thickness were performed in a voxel and vertex-wise manner, as well as for specific regions of interest. In exploratory analyses, we evaluated the relationship between changes in cortical thickness after exercise with multiple behavioral outcomes, as well as the relation of these measures at baseline. Exercise was associated with increases in cortical thickness within the right pre and postcentral gyri. Other notable areas of increased thickness related to training were present in the left pre and postcentral gyri, left temporal pole, left superior temporal gyrus, and left parahippocampal gyrus. Further, we observed that compared to a separate cohort of healthy children, participants displayed multiple areas with a significantly thinner cortex prior to training and fewer differences following training, indicating amelioration of anatomical deficits. Partial least squares analysis (PLS) revealed specific patterns of relations between cortical thickness and various behavioral outcomes both after training and at baseline. Overall, our results indicate that exercise training in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with radiation has a beneficial impact on brain structure. We argue that exercise training should be incorporated into the development of neuro-rehabilitative treatments for long-term pediatric brain tumor survivors and other populations with acquired brain injury. (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01944761) Exercise training in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with radiation results in changes in brain structure Exercise was associated with increased cortical thickness in several areas including motor and somatosensory cortex Fewer differences between patients and healthy controls in cortical thickness were seen following exercise training Specific patterns of relations between cortical thickness and behavior at a baseline and after exercise training were seen
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van Tilborg E, van Kammen CM, de Theije CGM, van Meer MPA, Dijkhuizen RM, Nijboer CH. A quantitative method for microstructural analysis of myelinated axons in the injured rodent brain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16492. [PMID: 29184182 PMCID: PMC5705703 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16797-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MRI studies (e.g. using diffusion tensor imaging) revealed that injury to white matter tracts, as observed in for instance perinatal white matter injury and multiple sclerosis, leads to compromised microstructure of myelinated axonal tracts. Alterations in white matter microstructure are also present in a wide range of neurological disorders including autism-spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and ADHD. Whereas currently myelin quantity measures are often used in translational animal models of white matter disease, it can be an important valuable addition to study the microstructural organization of myelination patterns in greater detail. Here, we describe methods to extensively study the microstructure of cortical myelination by immunostaining for myelin. To validate these methods, we carefully analyzed the organization of myelinated axons running from the external capsule towards the outer layers of the cortex in three rodent models of neonatal brain injury and in an adult stroke model, that have all been associated with myelination impairments. This unique, relatively easy and sensitive methodology can be applied to study subtle differences in myelination patterns in animal models in which aberrations in myelination integrity are suspected. Importantly, the described methods can be applied to determine efficacy of novel experimental treatments on microstructural organization of cortical myelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik van Tilborg
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caren M van Kammen
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline G M de Theije
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits P A van Meer
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick M Dijkhuizen
- Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Center for Image Sciences, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cora H Nijboer
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Developmental Origins of Disease, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Ailion AS, Hortman K, King TZ. Childhood Brain Tumors: a Systematic Review of the Structural Neuroimaging Literature. Neuropsychol Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11065-017-9352-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Rashid A, Ram AN, Kates WR, Redmond KJ, Wharam M, Mark Mahone E, Horska A, Terezakis S. A prospective study of corpus callosum regional volumes and neurocognitive outcomes following cranial radiation for pediatric brain tumors. Childs Nerv Syst 2017; 33:965-972. [PMID: 28455540 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-017-3412-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Cranial radiation therapy (CRT) may disrupt the corpus callosum (CC), which plays an important role in basic motor and cognitive functions. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to assess changes in CC mid-sagittal areas, CC volumes, and performance on neuropsychological (NP) tests related to the CC in children following CRT. MATERIALS/METHODS Twelve pediatric patients were treated with CRT for primary brain malignancies. Thirteen age-matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Brain MRIs and NP assessment emphasizing motor dexterity, processing speed, visuomotor integration, and working memory (visual and verbal) were performed at baseline and at 6, 15, and 27 months following completion of CRT. Linear mixed effects (LME) analyses were used to evaluate patient NP performance and changes in regional CC volumes (genu, anterior body, mid-body, posterior body, and splenium) and mid-sagittal areas over time and with radiation doses, correcting for age at CRT start. RESULTS The mean age at CRT was 9.41 (range 1.2-15.7) years. The median prescription dose was 54 (range 18-59.4) Gy. LME analysis revealed a significant decrease in overall CC volumes over time (p < 0.00001), with no overall effect of radiation dose. Analysis of individual CC regions demonstrated a significant decrease in all regional volumes over time (p < 0.00001) in patients, with no effect of radiation dose. Only in the splenium was there a trend toward a dose-dependent effect (p = 0.093). Patients had significantly reduced NP performance across visits-most notably in motor dexterity and visual working memory (both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These prospective data demonstrate a significant decrease in CC regional volumes after CRT, with associated decline in neurocognitive function, most notably in manual dexterity, attention, and working memory. Further prospective study of larger cohorts of patients is needed to establish the relationship between CRT dose, neuroanatomical, and functional changes in the CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Rashid
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2410, USA
| | - Ashwin N Ram
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2410, USA
| | - Wendy R Kates
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Kristin J Redmond
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2410, USA
| | - Moody Wharam
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2410, USA
| | - E Mark Mahone
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alena Horska
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephanie Terezakis
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 401 North Broadway, Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231-2410, USA.
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Ris MD, Grosch M, Fletcher JM, Metah P, Kahalley LS. Measurement of neurodevelopmental changes in children treated with radiation for brain tumors: what is a true 'baseline?'. Clin Neuropsychol 2016; 31:307-328. [PMID: 27705087 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2016.1216070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the various ways in which baseline neuropsychological functioning is measured in the extant literature on pediatric brain tumors, describe the pros and cons of each approach, and increase the awareness of researchers as to the implications of each. METHOD We reviewed the literature from 1993 to 2013, and classified studies by baseline approach and explicitness of selection of approach. RESULTS There are multiple approaches to operationalizing baseline levels of ability and to assess change from baseline. Each approach has strengths and weaknesses, and selection may depend on the question under investigation. Approaches to baseline estimation varied widely with a trend over time toward reliance on statistical modeling. Researchers were often insufficiently explicit about the reasons for adopting a particular approach. The common use of standardized scores requires caution as they obscure critical inferential limitations about change and magnitude of change. Some viable approaches were infrequently used, such as actuarial prediction formulas. Multiple simultaneous methods akin to theory testing and formal methods of construct validation could enhance scientific yield since all approaches are fallible. CONCLUSIONS Estimating baseline neuropsychological functioning is very challenging, particularly when it concerns children in the preschool years. Nevertheless, it is a crucial methodological decision with important implications for the interpretation of research findings that needs to be dealt with explicitly.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Douglas Ris
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Maria Grosch
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Jack M Fletcher
- b Department of Psychology , University of Houston , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Paras Metah
- b Department of Psychology , University of Houston , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Lisa S Kahalley
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital , Houston , TX , USA
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Discrepancies among Measures of Executive Functioning in a Subsample of Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Brain Tumor: Associations with Treatment Intensity. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2016; 22:900-910. [PMID: 27667398 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617716000771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treatments for childhood brain tumors (BT) confer substantial risks to neurological development and contribute to neuropsychological deficits in young adulthood. Evidence suggests that individuals who experience more significant neurological insult may lack insight into their neurocognitive limitations. The present study compared survivor, mother, and performance-based estimates of executive functioning (EF), and their associations with treatment intensity history in a subsample of young adult survivors of childhood BTs. METHODS Thirty-four survivors (52.9% female), aged 18 to 30 years (M=23.5; SD=3.4), 16.1 years post-diagnosis (SD=5.9), were administered self-report and performance-based EF measures. Mothers also rated survivor EF skills. Survivors were classified by treatment intensity history into Minimal, Average/Moderate, or Intensive/Most-Intensive groups. Discrepancies among survivor, mother, and performance-based EF estimates were compared. RESULTS Survivor-reported and performance-based measures were not correlated, although significant associations were found between mother-reported and performance measures. Survivors in the Intensive/Most-Intensive treatment group evidenced the greatest score discrepancies, reporting less executive dysfunction relative to mother-reported F(2,31)=7.81, p.05). CONCLUSIONS There may be a lack of agreement among survivor, mother, and performance-based estimates of EF skills in young adult survivors of childhood BT, and these discrepancies may be associated with treatment intensity history. Neuropsychologists should use a multi-method, multi-reporter approach to assessment of EF in this population. Providers also should be aware of these discrepancies as they may be a barrier to intervention efforts. (JINS, 2016, 22, 900-910).
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Agbahiwe H, Rashid A, Horska A, Mahone EM, Lin D, McNutt T, Cohen K, Redmond K, Wharam M, Terezakis S. A prospective study of cerebral, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe volumes and neuropsychological performance in children with primary brain tumors treated with cranial radiation. Cancer 2016; 123:161-168. [PMID: 27571577 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cranial radiation therapy (RT) is an important component in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors. However, it can result in long-term effects on the developing brain. This prospective study assessed the effects of cranial RT on cerebral, frontal lobe, and temporal lobe volumes and their correlation with higher cognitive functioning. METHODS Ten pediatric patients with primary brain tumors treated with cranial RT and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy children serving as controls were evaluated. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessments (language, memory, auditory and visual processing, and vocabulary) were performed at the baseline and 6, 15, and 27 months after RT. The effects of age, the time since RT, and the cerebral RT dose on brain volumes and neuropsychological performance were analyzed with linear mixed effects model analyses. RESULTS Cerebral volume increased significantly with age in both groups (P = .01); this increase in volume was more pronounced in younger children. Vocabulary performance was found to be significantly associated with a greater cerebral volume (P = .05) and a lower RT dose (P = .003). No relation was observed between the RT dose and the cerebral volume. There was no difference in the corresponding neuropsychological tests between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS This prospective study found significant relations among the RT dose, cerebral volumes, and rate of vocabulary development among children receiving RT. The results of this study provide further support for clinical trials aimed at reducing cranial RT doses in the pediatric population. Cancer 2017;161-168. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold Agbahiwe
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arif Rashid
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alena Horska
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - E Mark Mahone
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Doris Lin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Todd McNutt
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kenneth Cohen
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kristin Redmond
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Moody Wharam
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephanie Terezakis
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Kahalley LS, Winter-Greenberg A, Stancel H, Ris MD, Gragert M. Utility of the General Ability Index (GAI) and Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI) with survivors of pediatric brain tumors: Comparison to Full Scale IQ and premorbid IQ estimates. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2016; 38:1065-76. [PMID: 27295192 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2016.1189883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pediatric brain tumor survivors are at risk for working memory and processing speed impairment. The General Ability Index (GAI) provides an estimate of intellectual functioning that is less influenced by working memory and processing speed than a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ). The Cognitive Proficiency Index (CPI) provides a measure of efficient information processing derived from working memory and processing speed tasks. We examined the utility of the GAI and CPI to quantify neurocognitive outcomes in a sample of pediatric brain tumor survivors. METHOD GAI, CPI, and FSIQ scores from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) were examined for 57 pediatric brain tumor survivors (ages 6-16 years) treated with cranial radiation therapy (RT). RESULTS GAI scores were higher than FSIQ and CPI scores, both p < .001. Lower CPI scores were associated with history of craniospinal irradiation and time since RT. Lower FSIQ and GAI scores were associated with higher RT dose and time since RT. The rate of clinically significant GAI-FSIQ discrepancies in our sample was greater than that observed in the WISC-IV standardization sample, p < .001. Estimated premorbid IQ scores were higher than GAI, p < .01, and FSIQ scores, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric brain tumor survivors exhibit weaker cognitive proficiency than that expected for age, while general reasoning ability remains relatively spared. The GAI may be useful to quantify the intellectual potential of a survivor when appropriate accommodations are in place for relative cognitive proficiency weaknesses. The CPI may be a particularly sensitive outcome measure of treatment-related cognitive change in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Kahalley
- a Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Amanda Winter-Greenberg
- b Texas Child Study Center, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , TX , USA
| | - Heather Stancel
- a Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - M Douglas Ris
- a Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Marsha Gragert
- a Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
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Radiation-Induced Growth Retardation and Microstructural and Metabolite Abnormalities in the Hippocampus. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:3259621. [PMID: 27242931 PMCID: PMC4875992 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3259621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cranial radiotherapy (CRT) increases survival in pediatric brain-tumor patients but can cause deleterious effects. This study evaluates the acute and long-term impact of CRT delivered during childhood/adolescence on the brain and body using a rodent model. Rats received CRT, either 4 Gy fractions × 5 d (fractionated) or a cumulative dose of 20 Gy (single dose) at 28 d of age. Animals were euthanized 1 d, 5 d, or 3.5 mo after CRT. The 3.5 mo group was imaged prior to euthanasia. At 3.5 mo, we observed significant growth retardation in irradiated animals, versus controls, and the effects of single dose on brain and body weights were more severe than fractionated. Acutely single dose significantly reduced body weight but increased brain weight, whereas fractionation significantly reduced brain but not body weights, versus controls. CRT suppressed cell proliferation in the hippocampal subgranular zone acutely. Fractional anisotropy (FA) in the fimbria was significantly lower in the single dose versus controls. Hippocampal metabolite levels were significantly altered in the single dose animals, reflecting a heightened state of inflammation that was absent in the fractionated. Our findings indicate that despite the differences in severity between the doses they both demonstrated an effect on cell proliferation and growth retardation, important factors in pediatric CRT.
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Sands SA. Proton Beam Radiation Therapy: The Future May Prove Brighter for Pediatric Patients With Brain Tumors. J Clin Oncol 2016; 34:1024-6. [PMID: 26811526 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2015.65.4350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Effects of Cranial Radiation on Structural and Functional Brain Development in Pediatric Brain Tumors. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40817-015-0008-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Law N, Smith ML, Greenberg M, Bouffet E, Taylor MD, Laughlin S, Malkin D, Liu F, Moxon-Emre I, Scantlebury N, Mabbott D. Executive function in paediatric medulloblastoma: The role of cerebrocerebellar connections. J Neuropsychol 2015; 11:174-200. [DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Law
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; Collaborative Program in Neuroscience; University of Toronto; Ontario Canada
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Department of Psychology; Collaborative Program in Neuroscience; University of Toronto; Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Mark Greenberg
- Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Michael D. Taylor
- Division of Neurosurgery; Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumor Research Centre; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Suzanne Laughlin
- Diagnostic Imaging; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - David Malkin
- Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Pediatrics; University of Toronto; Ontario Canada
| | - Fang Liu
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Iska Moxon-Emre
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; Collaborative Program in Neuroscience; University of Toronto; Ontario Canada
- Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Nadia Scantlebury
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Donald Mabbott
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Psychology; Collaborative Program in Neuroscience; University of Toronto; Ontario Canada
- Division of Hematology/Oncology; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
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Baron Nelson M, Compton P, Macey PM, Patel SK, Jacob E, O'Neil S, Ogren J, Finlay JL, Harper RM. Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Neurobehavioral Outcome in Children With Brain Tumors Treated With Chemotherapy. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 2015. [PMID: 26219302 DOI: 10.1177/1043454215590104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) often experience treatment-related neurocognitive deficits affecting quality of life (QOL), but systemic chemotherapy contributions to outcomes are unclear. Our objective was to relate brain tissue changes to neurocognitive and QOL effects after systemic myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue in CBTS. PROCEDURE Regional brain volumes and diffusion tensor indices were correlated with neurocognitive, behavioral, and QOL measures, and compared between 8 CBTS (mean age 8.5 years, mean age at diagnosis 32 months), and 9 healthy controls (mean 9.3 years). RESULTS Overall QOL, school, and psychosocial functioning were significantly lower in patients (P < .05). Most patients scored within normative ranges on neurocognitive and behavioral assessment. Elevated mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy, indicating gray and white matter injury, respectively, appeared in memory and executive functioning areas. Low scores on Inhibition on the Neuropsychological Assessment-II were correlated with elevated mean diffusivity in prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS Brain injury, decreased QOL, and to a lesser extent, executive functioning deficits appear in CBTS treated with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue. Early cognitive and psychological assessment and intervention are warranted in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Baron Nelson
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peggy Compton
- UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA, USA Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Paul M Macey
- UCLA School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA, USA David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sharon O'Neil
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald M Harper
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Pulsifer MB, Sethi RV, Kuhlthau KA, MacDonald SM, Tarbell NJ, Yock TI. Early Cognitive Outcomes Following Proton Radiation in Pediatric Patients With Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2015; 93:400-7. [PMID: 26254679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2015.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report, from a longitudinal study, cognitive outcome in pediatric patients treated with proton radiation therapy (PRT) for central nervous system (CNS) tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS Sixty patients receiving PRT for medulloblastoma (38.3%), gliomas (18.3%), craniopharyngioma (15.0%), ependymoma (11.7%), and other CNS tumors (16.7%) were administered age-appropriate measures of cognitive abilities at or near PRT initiation (baseline) and afterward (follow-up). Patients were aged ≥ 6 years at baseline to ensure consistency in neurocognitive measures. RESULTS Mean age was 12.3 years at baseline; mean follow-up interval was 2.5 years. Treatment included prior surgical resection (76.7%) and chemotherapy (61.7%). Proton radiation therapy included craniospinal irradiation (46.7%) and partial brain radiation (53.3%). At baseline, mean Wechsler Full Scale IQ was 104.6; means of all 4 Index scores were also in the average range. At follow-up, no significant change was observed in mean Wechsler Full Scale IQ, Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning/Organization, or Working Memory. However, Processing Speed scores declined significantly (mean 5.2 points), with a significantly greater decline for subjects aged <12 years at baseline and those with the highest baseline scores. Cognitive outcome was not significantly related to gender, extent of radiation, radiation dose, tumor location, histology, socioeconomic status, chemotherapy, or history of surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS Early cognitive outcomes after PRT for pediatric CNS tumors are encouraging, compared with published outcomes from photon radiation therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret B Pulsifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Roshan V Sethi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen A Kuhlthau
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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