title: Attentional ability among survivors of leukaemia treated without cranial irradiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has indicated that children who have received treatment for leukaemia which includes cranial irradiation exhibit deficits in their ability to focus attention. It has been suggested that the use of cranial irradiation may have a role to play in long term sequelae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate neuropsychological functioning among children treated for leukaemia without cranial irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross sectional study, 17 leukaemic patients and their sibling controls were assessed using a neuropsychological model of attention. All were treated on the UKALL XI protocol and none had received cranial irradiation. Participants completed the Arithmetic subtest and Digit Span subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to assess focus-encode elements of attention; the Coding subtest and the Speed of Information subtest of the BAS to assess focus-execute aspects of attention; the VIGIL computerised battery to assess sustain elements of attention; and the Wisconsin Card Sorting test to assess the ability to shift attention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  These children did not exhibit the deficits witnessed in previous cohorts, and were performing at comparable levels to their controls on all measures of attention
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that children who have received treatment for leukaemia without the use of cranial irradiation do not show the neuropsychological insult found in earlier treatment groups.
authors.affiliation: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Newcastle, UK. Jacqui.rodgers@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marckus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kearns
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Windebank
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011581:Psychological Tests