title: Sex differences in cognitive processing in children treated with CNS prophylaxis for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: Evaluated cognitive processing in 51 children (27 female, 24 male) who had been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with CNS prophylaxis (cranial radiation in combination with intrathecal chemotherapy) and were continuously disease-free for 5 to 12 years. The control group comprised 15 children treated for Wilm's tumor. Functions assessed included visuoperceptual skills, generation of organizational strategies, sensitivity to organizational structure, and attention. The ALL group showed performance deficits relative to the solid tumor controls in appreciating the organization inherent in complex visuospatial material and alertness, with females more severely affected than males. Sex differences favoring males on IQ and academic achievement were related to these cognitive processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Waber
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paccia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dinklage
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sollee
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Urion
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Tarbell
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sallan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D008727:Methotrexate