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Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Attentional ability among survivors of leukaemia treated without cranial irradiation
J Rodgers1, R Marckus, P Kearns
1Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Newcastle, UK. Jacqui.rodgers@ncl.ac.uk
Insights
Children treated for leukaemia without cranial irradiation showed no attention deficits. This suggests avoiding cranial irradiation may prevent long-term cognitive issues in paediatric leukaemia survivors.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Paediatric Oncology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cranial irradiation in leukaemia treatment is linked to attention deficits in children.
- Long-term sequelae are a concern with cranial irradiation therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess neuropsychological functioning in children treated for leukaemia without cranial irradiation.
- To determine if omitting cranial irradiation prevents attention deficits.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 17 leukaemia patients and sibling controls.
- Utilized a neuropsychological model of attention, including Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, BAS, VIGIL, and Wisconsin Card Sorting test.
- Patients were treated on the UKALL XI protocol and had not received cranial irradiation.
Main Results:
- Children treated without cranial irradiation did not display attention deficits.
- Performance on all attention measures was comparable to sibling controls.
Conclusions:
- Leukaemia treatment without cranial irradiation appears to avoid the neuropsychological deficits observed in earlier treatment groups.
- Omitting cranial irradiation may be crucial for preserving cognitive function in paediatric leukaemia survivors.
Background:
Previous research has indicated that children who have received treatment for leukaemia which includes cranial irradiation exhibit deficits in their ability to focus attention. It has been suggested that the use of cranial irradiation may have a role to play in long term sequelae.
Aims:
To investigate neuropsychological functioning among children treated for leukaemia without cranial irradiation.
Methods:
In a cross sectional study, 17 leukaemic patients and their sibling controls were assessed using a neuropsychological model of attention. All were treated on the UKALL XI protocol and none had received cranial irradiation. Participants completed the Arithmetic subtest and Digit Span subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised to assess focus-encode elements of attention; the Coding subtest and the Speed of Information subtest of the BAS to assess focus-execute aspects of attention; the VIGIL computerised battery to assess sustain elements of attention; and the Wisconsin Card Sorting test to assess the ability to shift attention.
Results:
These children did not exhibit the deficits witnessed in previous cohorts, and were performing at comparable levels to their controls on all measures of attention
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that children who have received treatment for leukaemia without the use of cranial irradiation do not show the neuropsychological insult found in earlier treatment groups.
