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Neuropsychological Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors

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Pediatric Neuro-oncology

Abstract

Predicting and mitigating the risk of neuropsychological deficits are essential to improve quality of life and long-term psychosocial, educational, and employment outcomes of the growing cohort of pediatric brain tumor survivors. A review of existing research on disease- and treatment-related variables, individual characteristics, and environmental factors related to neuropsychological outcomes in this population is presented. While the nature and severity of deficits experienced by survivors are variable, core cognitive functions such as attention, processing speed, working memory, psychomotor skills, and new learning appear highly vulnerable to disruption, and in turn, underlie declines in general intellectual and academic functioning. Empirically validated interventions are discussed, along with novel approaches for reducing neuropsychological morbidity, such as risk-adapted treatments and exploration of neuroprotective agents and neuronal repair activities. Focus on the subgroups of pediatric brain tumor patients at highest risk of poor outcomes is necessary to direct early and effective interventions in order to improve long-term neuropsychological functioning, and ultimately, the quality of survivorship.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Laura Janzen Ph.D., Donald Mabbott B.A., M.A., Ph.D. & Sharon L. Guger Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Laura Janzen Ph.D.
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  2. Donald Mabbott B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
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  3. Sharon L. Guger Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Janzen Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Katrin Scheinemann

  2. Department of Haematology/Oncology, Garron Family Chair in Childhood Cancer Research, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Eric Bouffet

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Janzen, L., Mabbott, D., Guger, S.L. (2015). Neuropsychological Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors. In: Scheinemann, K., Bouffet, E. (eds) Pediatric Neuro-oncology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1541-5_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1541-5_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1540-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1541-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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