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Neurocognitive Late Effects of Pediatric Brain Tumors of the Posterior Fossa: A Quantitative Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2012

Kristen E. Robinson ,
Claire E. Fraley ,
Matthew M. Pearson ,
John F. Kuttesch Jr.,  and
Bruce E. Compas
Kristen E. Robinson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Claire E. Fraley
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
Matthew M. Pearson
Affiliation:
Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
John F. Kuttesch Jr.,
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Bruce E. Compas
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Kristen E. Robinson, Department of Psychology & Human Development, Vanderbilt University, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203. E-mail: kristen.e.robinson@vanderbilt.edu
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Abstract

Deficits in neurocognitive functioning are an important area of late effects in survivors of pediatric brain tumors; however, a quantitative analysis of the magnitude of these deficits in survivors of brain tumors of the posterior fossa has not been conducted. Despite tumor locations in the posterior regions of the brain, individual studies have documented deficits in a variety of domains, reflective of impairment in other brain regions. The current study provides a comprehensive meta-analysis of literature on neurocognitive late effects found in survivors of posterior fossa tumors. Results indicated significant deficits in both specific and broad indices of neurocognitive functioning, and the overall magnitude of effects across domains ranged from medium to large (g = −0.62 to −1.69) with a large mean overall effect size (g = −1.03). Moderator analyses indicated significantly greater effects for survivors diagnosed at a younger age and those who received radiation therapy. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring neurocognitive late effects in survivors of pediatric brain tumors of the posterior fossa, as well as the need for more consistent consideration of demographic, diagnostic, and treatment-related variables to allow for examination of factors that moderate these deficits. (JINS, 2012, 19, 1–10)

Keywords

ChildrenBrain tumorCognitiveSequelaeInfratentorialMeta analysis
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , January 2013 , pp. 44 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2012

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