Changes in cognitive functioning in the year after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The current study examined changes in multiple domains of cognitive functioning of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) candidates tested pretransplantation, 6 months posttransplantation, and 12 months posttransplantation.


METHODS
Using a sequential longitudinal design, 476 patients were randomized to be tested at all 3 time points, at 6 and 12 months posttransplantation, or at only 12 months posttransplantation. Participants completed a comprehensive battery of neuropsychologic tests that indexed memory, psychomotor speed, attention, and executive functioning, and provided a total neuropsychologic performance score (TNP).


RESULTS
The results indicate that performance on cognitive abilities, except for attention, significantly improved across the 1-year follow-up period after HSCT. Performance on the TNP and all cognitive domains was superior or equal to population normative values by the 12-month measurement point. The results also indicate that repeated exposure to tests led to better performance on motor speed and the TNP and that attrition influenced the TNP, such that those who remained in the longitudinal sample exhibited greater longitudinal improvement in scores as compared with patients who left the sample.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the current study suggest that although patients undergoing HSCT experience cognitive deficits during the period just before transplantation, cognitive functioning returns to normative values within a year after transplantation.
Health Outcomes and Behavior Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA.
Sheri R
SR
Jacobs
Brent J
BJ
Small
Margaret
M
Booth-Jones
Paul B
PB
Jacobsen
Karen K
KK
Fields
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000601:surgery; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000601:surgery; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D013997:Time Factors