title: Intellectual functioning of childhood leukemia survivors--relation to Tau protein--a marker of white matter injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chemo- and radiotherapy used in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can influence on brain functioning in the future. In a prospective study we analysed the cognitive functions of ALL survivors in relation to Tau protein as a marker of white matter injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-one survivors of childhood ALL (6.3 years after diagnosis); without the signs of CNS involvement, treated with chemotherapy alone, rested in first remission; underwent Intelligence tests- Wechsler Intelligence Scales (WISC-R, WAIS-R). Their results were analyzed in relation to the levels of Tau in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained during the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis showed that all survivors attained the average scores in intelligence tests. A negative correlation was found between methotrexate (MTX) doses and Freedom from Distractibility (FFD). Females had higher values of Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ) than males. A negative correlation was noted of Tau protein levels obtained from the last CSF with: Total and Verbal Intelligence Quotient, PIQ, Perceptual Organisation Index and FFD but not with Verbal Comprehension Index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest the possibility of white matter injury during the treatment for ALL with chemotherapy alone. Elevated Tau protein level in CSF at the end of treatment might indicate future difficulties in neurocognitive functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. rybak@umwb.edu.pl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawczuk-Rybak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grabowska
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Protas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muszynska-Roslan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holownia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braszko
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C054369:MAPT protein, human; D016875:tau Proteins; D008727:Methotrexate