title: Timed performance weaknesses on computerized tasks in pediatric brain tumor survivors: A comparison with sibling controls.
abstract: With more children surviving a brain tumor, insight into the late effects of the disease and treatment is of high importance. This study focused on profiling the neurocognitive functions that might be affected after treatment for a pediatric brain tumor, using a broad battery of computerized tests. Predictors that may influence neurocognitive functioning were also investigated. A total of 82 pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTSs) aged 8-18 years (M = 13.85, SD = 3.15, 49% males) with parent-reported neurocognitive complaints were compared to a control group of 43 siblings (age M = 14.27, SD = 2.44, 40% males) using linear mixed models. Neurocognitive performance was assessed using measures of attention, processing speed, memory, executive functioning, visuomotor integration (VMI), and intelligence. Tumor type, treatment, tumor location, hydrocephalus, gender, age at diagnosis, and time since diagnosis were entered into regression analyzes as predictors for neurocognitive functioning. The PBTSs showed slower processing speeds and lower intelligence (range effect sizes .71-.82, p < .001), as well as deficits in executive attention, short-term memory, executive functioning, and VMI (range effect sizes .40-.57, p < .05). Older age at assessment was associated with better neurocognitive functioning (B = .450, p < .001) and younger age at diagnosis was associated with lower intelligence (B = .328, p < .05). Medical risk factors, e.g., hydrocephalus, did not show an association with neurocognitive functioning. Late effects in PBTSs include a broad range of neurocognitive deficits. The results suggest that even PBTSs that were traditionally viewed as low risk for neurocognitive problems (e.g., surgery only, no hydrocephalus) may suffer from decreased neurocognitive functioning.
authors.affiliation: a Psychosocial Department , Emma Children's Hospital AMC , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke Anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Ruiter
authors.affiliation: a Psychosocial Department , Emma Children's Hospital AMC , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.|b Research Institute, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martha Alexandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grootenhuis
authors.affiliation: c Clinical Neuropsychology Section, VU University Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Mourik
authors.affiliation: a Psychosocial Department , Emma Children's Hospital AMC , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Heleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maurice-Stam
authors.affiliation: d EEG Resource Institute , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marinus Hermanus Maria
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Breteler
authors.affiliation: e Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology , Radboud University Medical Center , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Corrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gidding
authors.affiliation: f Department of Medical Psychology , Wilhelmina Children's Hospital UMC , Utrecht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Laura Rachel
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Beek
authors.affiliation: g Department of Pediatrics , Maastricht University Medical Center , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Granzen
authors.affiliation: h Department of Pediatrics , VU Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dannis Gilbert
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: van Vuurden
authors.affiliation: i Department of Pediatric Oncology , Emma Children's Hospital AMC , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Antoinette Yvonne Narda
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Schouten-van Meeteren
authors.affiliation: c Clinical Neuropsychology Section, VU University Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.|j Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital AMC , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oosterlaan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D035781:Siblings; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cancer; attention; brain tumor; memory; speed