title: Cerebellar Atrophy in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cerebellar Tumor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cerebellum (CB) is known for its role in supporting processing speed (PS) and cognitive efficiencies. The CB often sustains damage from treatment and resection in pediatric patients with posterior fossa tumors. Limited research suggests that CB atrophy may be associated with the radiation treatment experienced during childhood. The purpose of the study was to measure cerebellar atrophy to determine its neurobehavioral correlates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brain magnetic resonance images were collected from 25 adult survivors of CB tumors and age- and gender-matched controls (M age= 24 years (SD=5), 52% female). Average age at diagnosis was 9 years (SD=5) and average time since diagnosis was 15 years (SD=5). PS was measured by the Symbol Digit Modality Test. To quantify atrophy, an objective formula was developed based on prior literature, in which Atrophy=[(CB White+CB Gray Volume)/Intracranial Vault (ICV)]controls-[(CB White+CB Gray+Lesion Size Volume)/ICV]survivors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses found that the interaction term (age at diagnosis*radiation) predicts CB atrophy; regression equations included the Neurological Predictor Scale, lesion size, atrophy, and the interaction term and accounted for 33% of the variance in oral PS and 48% of the variance in written PS. Both interactions suggest that individuals with smaller CB lesion size but a greater degree of CB atrophy had slower PS, whereas individuals with a larger CB lesion size and less CB atrophy were less affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the current study suggest that young age at diagnosis and radiation is associated with CB atrophy, which interacts with lesion size to impact both written and oral PS.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute,Georgia State University,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Alyssa S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ailion
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute,Georgia State University,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Tricia Z
authors.initials: TZ
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences,Emory University School of Medicine,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Liya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute,Georgia State University,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Michelle E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences,Emory University School of Medicine,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute,Georgia State University,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Robin M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute,Georgia State University,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crosson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013534:Survival; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Atrophy; Cancer; MRI; Posterior fossa; Radiation; brain tumor