title: Neuropsychological assessment before and after radiotherapy in a child with an intracranial tumor: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors and the second largest group of neoplasms diagnosed in childhood. Treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, radiotherapy can cause complications, e.g., cognitive deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the case of a child diagnosed with a brain tumor evaluated before and after radiotherapy to investigate cognitive decline after treatment. The results showed a decline in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores and reversal of the predominance of verbal and nonverbal skills. After radiotherapy, the subject showed slowness, academic deficits, and difficulties learning new information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though the post-treatment evaluation showed scores compatible with the average, comparison between pre- and post-treatment evaluations demonstrated the impact of radiotherapy on the subject's cognitive profile. These results highlight the importance of evaluating patients who undergo radiotherapy before and after treatment and understanding neuropsychological scores associated with the subjects' complaints.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Neuropsicologia Aplicada, Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandra Pereira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: CNA, IDOR, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alina Lebreiro
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Teldeschi
authors.affiliation: CNA, IDOR, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.affiliation: Centro de Neuropsicologia Aplicada, Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cintia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.affiliation: Centro de Neuropsicologia Aplicada, Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Manuela Correa
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Centro de Neuropsicologia Aplicada, Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.affiliation: Centro de Neuropsicologia Aplicada, Instituto D'Or de Pesquisa e Ensino, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mattos